The November 12 publication of the names and photographs of people being considered for appointment as special reserve policemen/women enabled members of the public to get a clear demographic profile of potential SRPs.
From the information provided, there were 466 candidates comprising 196 males and 270 females. Of the 196 males, non-Indians outnumbered Indians by more than two to one and of the 270 females, non-Indians outnumbered Indians by nine to one. Further, there were no whites and no Chinese.
Statistics are useful but the interpretation of statistics can be contentious. For example, if we are to project from the Minister of National Security's recent interpretation of the Section 34 march statistics, he may view these SRP figures through political eyes and express alarm that the statistics show that PNM are planting their operatives in the police service.
On the other hand, one of our past heads of the Police Service Commission may view these figures with equal alarm but through racial eyes and interpret them as proving that the non-Indian Minister of National Security and the non-Indian Acting Chief of Police are discriminating against Indians and are biased in their employment practice.
However, normal thinking citizens would not at all be alarmed by the figures, recognising that they only show that people are free to apply for jobs as they choose.
W Henry
Tacarigua