Lawrence Herchmer

Lawrence William Herchmer (25 April 1840 – 17 February 1915) was a Canadian and British police commander and army officer, who was also employed as a farmer, brewer and civil servant.

[2][4] Herchmer was "a capable administrator",[3] but being hot-tempered and overbearing,[3] he gained a "reputation as a tyrant" during his tenure as commissioner.

Nevertheless, the force under his command gained better benefits, living conditions, organization, and training, and more respect, with a marked improvement in esprit du corps.

[2] His personality earned him a number of political enemies, leading to charges of mismanagement that produced a judicial inquiry in 1892 (which cleared him)[3] and culminated in his dismissal in 1900,[3] while he was serving with the Canadian Army in South Africa.

[3] Herchmer introduced the wide-brimmed hats (later adopted as official uniform), and the famous musical ride display of horsemanship.