Commissioner of Public Safety, Lei Sonny Thompson, has transferred Chief of Police, Tauese Vaaomala Sunia to the Territorial Correctional Facility to serve as warden.
Tauese will begin at his new position on Monday, October 2,
Commissioner Le’i was attending the DPS weaponry training and was unavailable for comment.
Tauese confirmed that he had been notified earlier this week that he was being transferred to the TCF as warden but declined to give further comment.
Tauese was appointed as Chief of Police under an executive order by Governor Lolo Moliga.
He continued in this position when Le’i became commissioner early this year, and he appointed two deputy commissioners for DPS Vaimaga Maiava and Falanaipupu Taase Sagapolutele, the first time DPS has ever had two deputy commissioners.
Tauese, who has been with DPS for more than 15 years , has been a lead instructor for DPS police academies.
Many in DPS view the transfer of Tauese to TCF as a demotion.
Its not know what current warden Vaipuna Foifua’s new position will be,.
