The Ministry of Justice shall be headed by a Minister. The Ministry shall be responsible for providing legal services to the Government and to its agencies and political subdivisions, promoting and protecting the safety and peace of the public, and maintaining order and enforcing all laws. The Minister shall coordinate the activities of the Ministry with appropriate authorities, boards, commissions and public corporations. (2 PNC §105)
Honorable Jennifer S. Olegeriil
Minister of Justice
Jennifer S. Olegeriil was sworn into office as the Republic of Palau’s Minister of Justice on May 19, 2025 under President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. As Minister, she is responsible for promoting public safety, maintaining order, enforcing laws, and coordinating Ministry activities with relevant authorities. She oversees the Bureau of Public Safety, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Office of Professional Standards. Minister Olegeriil leads the national police force, which includes 911 emergency response, fire and medical services, criminal investigations (including investigations of illegal drugs, human trafficking, transnational crimes), maritime security, and the nation’s penal institution. She serves on the Presidential Cabinet, manages national security and law enforcement, and oversees more than 160 personnel, primarily sworn officers in the Bureau of Public Safety. Previously, she directed the Department of Conservation and Law Enforcement (DCLE) for Koror State, where she managed the Koror Rock Islands Southern Lagoon UNESCO World Heritage Site (natural and cultural) and supervised its operations and revenue generation for over 13 years. With over 30 years of leadership experience, she has served in multiple roles focused on law enforcement, security, climate change, sustainable tourism, cultural preservation, fisheries, and resource management. Her expertise has shaped frameworks and policies at both national and state levels. Minister Olegeriil has a BA in Sociology from California State University, Chico. She began her career with the Palau National Police Force in 1992 and became its first female Deputy Director in 2008. She transitioned to conservation work in 2013, developing environmental policies and regulations. Her career includes over 65 trainings: National Development Course in Taiwan (Class President), crisis management in Hawaii, security inclusion in Mongolia, Pacific Police Women’s Leadership Training in Australia, and a Graduate-Level Diploma in Executive Leadership and Police Management from the Australian Institute of Police Management (AIPM), where she was one of the first Micronesian fellows. She has led strategic updates for resource management and security, addressing threats such as climate change, overtourism, and overfishing. Her leadership has advanced Palau’s environmental agenda locally and globally, securing technical and financial support. Minister Olegeriil is dedicated to building community resilience, continuous improvement, and adaptive management in law enforcement and national security. She is known for her flexible, effective leadership style: “You can’t force a fit. If it doesn’t work, tweak it. You have to be flexible and adapt to the changing winds if you want to be effective.”
Contact Information:
Tel: (680) 488-3198
Fax: (680) 488-4567
E-mail: moj@palaugov.org
Offices
Office of the Attorney General
Office of Professional Standards