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Alexander McCall

Mitchell Library, The Bailie

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Alexander McCall

Alexander McCall (d 1888) was Chief Constable of the Glasgow Police, 1870-1888.

McCall was appointed a Detective Inspector in 1850, the Assistant Superintendent and then the Superintendent of the Central District, 1858 and 1862 respectively. In 1866 he tracked down the forger John Henry Greatrex in New York, and brought him back to Glasgow for trial. He was promoted to the post of Chief Constable in 1870. In 1873 The Bailie credited McCall with improving relations between the policeman on the street and the general public, through a programme of disciplinary reforms.

McCall was buried in the Necropolis. His gravestone, in the form of a Celtic cross, was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh (whose policeman father, William, had worked as McCall's assistant). The cross is believed to have been the young designer's first commission.

Reference: Mitchell Library, 920.04BAI

Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Libraries Information and Learning

Keywords:
Chief Constables, forgers, Glasgow Police, Necropolis, policemen



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