Furthermore, in March 1862, the NSW Government led by Mr Cowper instigated a restructure of the whole of the NSW police force, which from the previous diverse sections were amalgamated into one entity with an inspector-general in overall command. This honour fell to a highly experienced and politically savvy former army officer, Captain John McLerie, once a nominee for the Victoria Cross. However, the wave after wave of people flooding the state from all over the colony and the globe to the new goldfields overwhelmed the revamped force. Robberies, beatings, murder were becoming commonplace as those who without luck resorted to the revolver for a few shillings to get by on or flee. Reports were rampant and into this mix came the dedicated bushranger who boldly snubbed their nose at law and order, Ben Hall fell into this category. Mr Cowper whose tenure as Colonial Secretary would face many challenges with the new audacious wave of lawlessness, where the government was not only fighting the bushrangers but also the press. As 1863 dawned, the force was still suffering from organisational teething problems including substantial criticism over their handling of the new 'Wild West of NSW'.
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Furthermore, Mr Cowper was of the belief that large rewards for the capture of these out of control bushrangers was an appropriate inducement for the harbourers and those lenient to their marauding, therefore, Mr Cowper offered large amounts of money, which for the poorer of the cockatoo squatter's would have been quite a windfall to feast one's eyes on just to dob in the
Furthermore, Mr Cowper was of the belief that large rewards for the capture of these out of control bushrangers was an appropriate inducement for the harbourers and those lenient to their marauding, therefore, Mr Cowper offered large amounts of money, which for the poorer of the cockatoo squatter's would have been quite a windfall to feast one's eyes on just to dob in the