Commissioner Edmund Henderson

Who was Edmund Henderson?

Edmund Henderson was commissioner of the Met from 1869 until 1886.

What sort of person was Edmund Henderson?

There are 2 main facts to note about Edmund Henderson's character:

• ❖ Before becoming commissioner, Henderson had worked in Canada and in the penal colonies of Australia.
• ❖ He was known as 'an easy-going chief' because he didn't always sack policemen the first time they were found drunk on duty, and didn't mind if they grew beards.

What did Edmund Henderson do?

Edmund Henderson carried out 3 key actions as commissioner of the Metropolitan Police:

• ❖ He set up a police fund for the widows and orphans of policemen killed on duty.
• ❖ He arranged for policemen to get the vote.
• ❖ He set up a register of habitual criminals.