Bower was transferred to the Royal Irish Constabulary, then served as Chief constable of Leeds, before he was appointed Head constable of Liverpool in October 1881. The police force in Liverpool was the largest in the country, and gave a thorough knowledge of police administration on an extensive scale.[3]
He was knighted in 1911, was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) the same year, and was later promoted to a Knight Commander (KCVO) in the order.