The American Samoa Commissioner of Public Safety, Sotoa Savali, has declined a request from a local cinema for officers to provide security when the movie The Da Vinci Code opens on Friday.
Sotoa has told the theatre manager that having police officers there would give the impression the government has taken sides with the theatre owner.
The cinema owner was assaulted earlier this month for wanting to show the film which is based on a novel.
Sotoa says the Department of Public Safety's role is to protect the theatre's right to show the film, the public to go and see it and also to protect the right of people who may protest.
A protest march against the movie is planned tomorrow.
Sotoa has told the theatre manager he was disappointed that local media had been told he would provide police as security when this was not the case.
He also says he was saddened that the movie will be shown despite many community leaders, pastors and traditional leaders have spoken out against it.