The department of police is not discriminating against whites when re-enlisting those who wish to rejoin the service, the department said on Tuesday.

Spokesperson Zweli Mnisi said that over the past three years more whites were being considered and re-enlisted than any other race groups.

Of the 987 applications for re-enlistment received, 568 had been finalised.

"Of these, 39 percent were white males, while black males accounted for 33 percent," said Mnisi.

White females were at 13 percent, followed by coloured males at seven while Indian males and African females accounted for three percent each.

There was only two percent of coloured females while Indian females accounted for 0.5 percent.

"In light of this analysis, the notion consistently raised within the policing environment that the department is discriminating against certain races, particularly whites, is not justified," said Mnisi.

He said the department looked at an individual's previous service record, criminal record, medical evaluation and vetting when dealing with applications for re-enlistments.

"In addition, the period between the date of service termination and date of application for re-enlistment should not exceed five years," he said,.

Those who were dismissed, took early retirement or had their services terminated due to severance packages were by law excluded from re-enlisting.

He thanked the contribution of South Africans towards reducing crime, irrespective of their race or gender.