 The investigation was initially conducted by the Metropolitan Police Whitechapel ( H ) Division Criminal Investigation Department ( CID ) headed by Detective Inspector Edmund Reid . After the murder of Nichols , Detective Inspectors Frederick Abberline , Henry Moore , and Walter Andrews were sent from Central Office at Scotland Yard to assist . The City of London Police were involved under Detective Inspector James McWilliam after the Eddowes murder , which occurred within the City of London . However , overall direction of the murder enquiries was hampered by the fact that the newly appointed head of the CID Robert Anderson was on leave in Switzerland between 7 September and 6 October , during the time when Chapman , Stride , and Eddowes were killed . This prompted Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Charles Warren to appoint Chief Inspector Donald Swanson to coordinate the enquiry from Scotland Yard . 
