James Monro

James Monro, after a distinguished career in India, became Assistant Commissioner MetropolitanPolice (CriminalInvestigationDepartment) in 1884, but resigned his post in 1888 after a conflict with Commissioner Sir CharlesWarren. Throughout the "autumn of terror," i.e. the period of the JackTheRipper murders in late 1888, there is strong evidence to suggest that Monro's advice was constantly sought by inspectors and senior officers, suggesting a loyalty not entirely well understood. Upon Sir Charles's resignation in November, Monro took over as Commissioner, but he stepped down in 1890 after yet another conflict, this time about nepotism, whereupon he returned to India.

Monro was directly involved with the investigation into the death of AliceMackenzie in July, 1889, and seems to have thought it the work of the Ripper.

Monro was, during his tenure at the Yard, also heavily involved in the organization and development of SpecialBranch, and contributed particularly to combating Fenian outrages.

James Monro died in 1920, at age 81.

See Casebook: Jack the Ripper for a discussion of Monro and the Ripper case.

-- ChrisLehrich^? - 23 Dec 2004