Mexico

http://digitalcollections.smu.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/mex/id/595/rec/36

The title of the photo is “An officer of the Mexican Rurales” which was photographed by Charles Burlingame Wait in 1904 in Mexico. Right away you can spot the officer holding a sword while on top of the horse. His surrounding seems consists of trees and appears to be supervising. The officer could be supervising other Rurales or over looking an election. He could also be patrolling the city that he was assigned to with other Rurales. Lastly the officer may be receiving his orders from the military about guarding the highway or railway since the background suggests that they’re outside of a city or out in the countryside. Does the sword represent his authority? How well respected were the Rurales?

Bombay Police

India

http://digitalcollections.smu.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/eaa/id/677/rec/56

The title of the photo is “Bombay Police” which was taken by William Johnson some time in 1855-1862 in Mumbai, Maharashtia, India. There’s 4 officers posing for a picture and are holding a type of baton. The background suggests that the picture was taken in the city. The man that is sitting down in the chair seems to be in charge just by the different look of his uniform and how he has a walking stick of some kind instead of a baton. The man that is standing and the one sitting on the ledge could be lower level policemen since they seem to be intimidated by the two men that are sitting down. The man that is sitting on the ground could be second in command how he is placed on the right hand of the policemen who may be the chief and how his uniform also differs from the other policemen. Was the police force was ever corrupted by the British? Did the police force consist of enough men to control a riot from the people?