This resource is from the News section.  This page contains press release 16/02, which discusses a meeting of Toby Harris, Chair of MPA, and Rudolph Giuliani, former New York Mayor.

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• Notes to editors

Toby Harris, Chair of MPA, meets Rudolph Giuliani

16/02
14 February 2002

Toby Harris, Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, today met former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, former NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik and former fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen at New Scotland Yard. He had been due to meet with them and other leaders of New York’s emergency services on September 11 last year but the meetings were cancelled because of the terrorist atrocities on that day.

Attending the unveiling of a commemorative display marking the tragic events of September 11 2001, Toby Harris said:

“ I am very pleased today to express my admiration of New York’s emergency services to their former chiefs and Rudolph Giuliani. This is a poignant meeting for me as I was due to meet with the former mayor and police chief on that terrible day itself. 

“The men and women they led in New York exemplify the best qualities of the emergency services around the world – dedication to public safety and selfless disregard for their own lives. We in London know of such bravery at first hand, relying upon the Met police for our own security and safety every day.”

Commenting on recent media comparisons between New York and London’s policing records, Toby Harris continued:

“Although I am sure we have lessons to learn from New York it is unrealistic to make direct and simplistic comparisons between our two police services. New York’s similarly sized annual policing budget does not fund pensions, which accounts for a considerable 19% of the Met’s budget. And the Met carries out many more duties associated with its role of policing the nation’s capital and seat of government, and important national and international anti-terrorist activities, which do not apply to the NYPD.” 

Notes to editors

1. The London Assembly confirmed a £2.1 billion policing budget, including provision for an additional 1000 officers, on Wednesday 13 February. 

2. Toby Harris pointed out that the continuing pressures of providing adequate security for London in the wake of the terrorist attacks in the United States must be addressed by the Home Office as soon as possible. The MPA welcomed the £22 million special grant for the present financial year but needs to know that the huge cost of providing extra security in the forthcoming year will be covered.

Further media information

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