As chairman of the Bermuda Police Association, I am compelled to respond to the allegations made by the Hon. Renee Webb in today's edition of The Royal Gazette . Ms Webb made a blanket statement about Police corruption that has not only caused rumblings of disaffection among the membership, but will serve only to weaken the trust of the general public in the integrity of the Police Service.

I am no more informed than the public on the details of Ms Webb's recent encounters with various Police officers, nor do I believe that the details of the encounters are relevant in this case. While the BPA supports the proposition that Government Ministers and other high ranking officials be afforded deference, should that courtesy not be extended this does not warrant an investigation into corruption within the Service. Allegations of the improper conduct of Police officers may be determined by way of complaint and a proper disciplinary investigation. There is no connection that can be made between what Ms Webb encountered and the concept of corruption. The very word itself suggests wilful and unlawful conduct, to which as a Police officer I take personal offence. As chairman of the BPA, representing some 430 officers, I am disturbed by the fact that the membership has been collectively slandered by this outrageous remark.

If Ms Webb has evidence or information about specific incidents of corruption by any members of the Service then she has both the opportunity and obligation to report such matters through the appropiate mechanisms. To state that Police officers `lie and/or doctor the truth' is irresponsible and serves to alienate the Police from the public. I therefore urge the public to consider those facts that are proved and I urge the Minister to withdraw this statement unless the allegation can be substantiated.

Finally, members of the public should be reassured by the fact that the Police Service has adopted a set of core values that represent a collaborative effort of all serving Police and civilian staff alike. Not least of these values are both `unity' and `integrity'. These values polarize the thought of corruption and promote officers to conduct ourselves with honesty and high ethical standards.

MICHAEL A. DESILVA (Inspector) Chairman Bermuda Police Association Appalling waste of money November 20, 2000 Dear Sir, I was appalled to read in your issue of November 16 the article "Regiment deserters off to court'' that Larry Burchall of the Defence Department is going to waste the Government's money and the court's time by going after young men who fail to show up for Regiment duty. Forty percent this year? There is something horribly wrong. It is unthinkable the Government is planning on making criminals of more than 1,000 young men in Bermuda. This is one-sixtieth of our population! I wholeheartedly agree with the letter from Darcy Lord in your newspaper of November 20. Why is there a need for an army in Bermuda? Are we under threat of attack from some foreign country? If there is felt to be a need for an army (I do not believe there is a need at all!) then it should be a voluntary unit like the Reserves in the US.

Conscription has no place in Bermuda and is an unnecessary burden placed on the young men of Bermuda.

I am imploring the present Government to add another item to the agenda of a Constitutional Conference and make service in the Bermuda Regiment voluntary.

BOB MASTERS Paget What new Bermuda? Nove mber 20, 2000 Dear Sir, Mr. Dunkley informs us that there are only 551 persons who want status and 77 percent of those are over 50. The Bishops are concerned for them. However there are many more black Bermudians over the age of 50 who belong to that generation who were unabashedly exploited and excluded from the economic benefits and prosperity of this country, with Government sanction and approval. They are still experiencing the long term impact of that policy of bringing in others to displace them or undercut them in both the most lucrative professional fields as well as others. The emotional, psychological and economic implications of these racist and unjust policies are still with them.

The previous UBP Government was unabashed in demeaning this older generation of black Bermudians and pouring contempt on them for their struggle during the 1960s to rid the country of racism and other forms of injustice and exploitation. The Premier's Afternoon Tea was no substitute for financial considerations. While some had been so demeaned that they were flattered by the gesture, for many others it was insulting, considering the actual policies of the Government.

The PLP Government is making great promises to the "younger'' generations of the "unlimited opportunities of the New Bermuda''. It is equally unabashed in its rebuff to the older generations with the blunt assertion that the over-50s "cannot expect this government to address all of the injustices of the past'' in this "New'' Bermuda. The over-50s are unreservedly excluded from the promises or benefits of any newness in this "New'' Bermuda -- unless they are members of the very inner circle of the PLP then they may do very well indeed.

There is nothing "new'' in the New Bermuda for the black Bermudians who are over 50, from the same old land taxation to the very limited or non existence of "opportunities'', and there are many more than 551. At least for those people there is something new. They now have security of place and of the jobs for which some of them were brought here to ensure the exclusion of black Bermudians, with or without qualifications. They no longer need fear separation from their Bermudian families. Political rights may be important but the economic rights which put food on the table and a shelter over the head is no less important, or perhaps it is even more important. If the Bishops showed some concern for the many more older black Bermudians who are being excluded from all of this "newness'' of the "New Bermuda'' then their compassion for the 551 might seem more credible.

EVA N. HODGSON Bailey's Bay Race and Constitution November 11, 2000 Dear Sir, I don't know if there is some fatal flow in the human gene located adjacent to the site for melanoma -- the pigment that makes people dark skinned -- or the lack of "white'', which is actually pink or light brown. A scientists or statistician could deduce that lack of melanin made people put their hands up at meetings when asked if they wanted consultation, constitutional conference and a referendum. But that would hardly be scientific -- there has been only one meeting.

At that meeting all were in agreement -- we wanted one man, one vote of equal value -- although, one man six votes of equal value or one man forty votes of equal value would be really satisfactory for it is the equal value part of this "slogan'' that is the issue. For instance, if we were to have 40 Members of Parliament running Island-wide and each "man'' could pick his favourite 40, we would certainly not have to worry about gerrymandered or non-contiguous constituencies.

Imagine the necessary gerrymandering to accommodate 30 or 36 constituencies in a built-up suburbia like Bermuda (or 40 for that matter) all with equal numbers. Some might have noticed the Premier's readiness to accept a ten percent differential in numbers at the meeting. Already there will not be one man, one vote of equal value -- mine might well be worth only 90 percent of yours or yours might be with 110 percent of mine.

Did the UBP gerrymander the boundaries? Almost certainly -- but they did have a constitutional conference which the PLP attended and the UBP won the popular vote. In fact almost certainly by as large or larger margins in every election as this PLP victory of 1998! Did anyone at the meeting notice Dame Lois Brown Evans claim 56 percent of the popular vote -- was that a slip or exaggeration? So can we say that only white Bermudians want consultation -- for that is what this is all about. Consultation meaning: More meetings with a panel less stacked. For instance, I would like to be on the panel representing my party -- the Unfettered Bermuda Party -- remember I earned 38 votes to the PLP's 39 votes when I ran against the UBP; a constitutional conference with all parties present (parties meaning groups, individual, associations -- not only political parties); then a boundaries commission to formalise ideas that are acceptable to the majority; and then a referendum for people to choose.

SANDERS FRITH-BROWN Warwick There ought to be a law November 16, 2000 Dear Sir, For as long as I can remember there has been much discussion on the subject of under-age children having babies; but to date the problem remains unsolved.

Generally speaking, I would consider this none of my beeswax, however, every so often one of them makes it my business. Let me tell you a story.

Once upon a time, during the summer, I was working alone in the late afternoon. This young man walked in, he looked 12, but was probably 14, went over to the cold box and selected an industrial strength beer.

Sauntering back to the front desk, he asked: "How much?''. "Are you 18n?'' I asked. "Of course I'm 18,'' he said looking a little annoyed. "I'll need to see your photo ID.'' Obviously, he did not understand the question because he then reached into his back pocket and pulled out a photograph. "Here you are, that's me; that's my girlfriend and that's my two-month-old baby. That makes me old enough to drink.'' On reflection, the girl looked like she could have been his younger sister.

I pointed to the door:"Not only are you underage, you're stupid as well, out!'' Much to my surprise he left, usually kinds like that want to rip your face off when challenged.

Tragically, there has to be a kernel of reality in all this as it is too complicated a practical joke just to get my goat.

So there you have it, legislation in place setting out minimum ages for drinking, being conscripted into the army, driving, voting, but silence on the subject of having babies.

DOUGLAS C. ROBERTS Sandys Parish