Police History

The second Head Constable 1874-78, Captain David Monro Chief Constable of Douglas

The arrival of Captain Monro as Head of the Force heralded a decided landmark in the progress of the Isle of Man Constabulary and many of the Force routines, some of which remain in the present day policing, originated in orders issued by Captain Monro during his short term of office.

Inspector John Sayle had taken on many of his boss’s duties while Captain Goldie was in poor health and on his death, Sayle was left in complete charge until a successor was appointed. Several Island officers were interviewed but Captain David Monro, a retired officer of the Madras Regiment, Indian A rmy, was appointed.

Captain Monro was born at Allan, Fearn, Ross-shire, Scotland, in 1839. He commenced his military career in 1857 as an Ensign in the Indian Army. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1860 and Captain in 1868. From then he was attached to the Madras Staff Corps as Adjutant. He retired from the army for health reasons in 1871 and was granted a pension of half pay. On returning to Scotland, he conceived a great liking for police work and placed himself voluntarily, without pay, under Major Grieg, Chief Constable of Liverpool.

He commenced as Head Constable of the Isle of Man on 7th January 1874 having been sworn in at Castle Rushen. He insisted on hair and beards being trimmed and also tidied up the administration, instructing chief constables to commence a proper filing system of letters and keep proper account of postage and other expenses.

He insisted that officers should not gossip to members of the public whilst on duty and officers incurring his displeasure were demoted, sometimes from police constable first class to fourth class, with a subsequent loss of pay. The generally poor pay and conditions led to a lot of resignations.

Around 1875, Captain Monro tried to change the designation of Chief Constables to Superintendent in Douglas and Inspector in the other towns because of the confusion with letters and telegrams meant for the Head Constable. In Spring 1875 he introduced smart new uniforms and helmets in place of the leather top hats. The three-quarter length coat was discarded in favour of a military style tunic.

It was at this time the force became known as the Isle of Man Constabulary – the title still in use today.

The first woman employed by the Isle of Man Constabulary as Police Matron was Mrs Leece Clucas of Ramsey Division. Her salary was £5 per year and she was required to attend the police station whenever a woman was taken into custody, provide their meals and search them following arrest. Other divisions were instructed to recruit suitable women for the same duties.

Captain Monro applied for and was appointed to the post of Chief Constable of Edinburgh and Lithgow in May 1878. He was head of the Isle of Man police for just four years but was granted a pension of £20 per year for life in recognition of his achievements. On his retirement, officers and men in the force presented him with a fine writing desk and silver pen and pencil cases. In 1884, he was appointed Her Majesty’s Inspector for Constabulary in Scotland, a post he held until he retired in 1910. Several years later he received further recognition when he was knighted for his services.

Information up to the 1980s reproduced from the book Isle of Man Constabulary by George Turnbull, by kind permission of the publishers, Mansk-Svenska Publishing Company Limited, of Peel, Isle of Man.

The Department of Home Affairs also gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Manx National Heritage. Old photos reproduced by kind permission of Manx National Heritage. Head Constable photo courtesy of Isle of Man Constabulary.