True and Fascinating Canadian History
Sir Ian Blair,
Commissioner.
London, England Metropolitan Police
In 1993, Mr. Ian Blair called me from London, England. I presumed he had been given my name by London RCMP Liaison Officers. At the time, he and I were essentially at the same rank of Superintendent, in other words, he had not yet been promoted into the London Met Commissioner's job.
Mr. Blair asked me if I would act as his Official Escort as he intended to visit Canada for about two weeks.
Mr. Blair arrived and I met him at Ottawa's Airport. In the meantime, I had made plans for him to visit various police forces and Chief's of Police across Canada based on his previous instructions to me by phone.
Our time together was a very rewarding time for me. Mr. Blair's first visit included the Toronto Metro Police Service then we drove south to London, Ontario.
Prior to his departure back to London, England, Mr. Blair presented me with the police Bobby's Hat which is pictured here.
Shortly after his visit to Canada, Mr. Blair was appointed as Commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police. I quickly sent him my congratulations.
He was a very warm person and he was also very interested in my work associated to International Training and United Nations Peacekeeping. I also learned from him about the huge magnitude of work and the complexity of policing in a city the size of London, England.
Commissioner Blair was the recipient of a Knighhood from Queen Elizabeth. So, now, he is Sir Ian Blair, a friend. And I can well recall his terrific visit to Canada.
Congratulations, Sir Ian Blair! Well Deserved!
