On Monday, September 11, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz led a contingent of more than 200 uniformed British police officers across the Brooklyn Bridge on their way to the World Trade Center site, where they stood as an honor guard for the 9/11 memorial ceremony.

The officers, known as Bobbies, have participated in 9/11 commemoration events every year since 2002. Each of the officers traveled from the United Kingdom to New York City at their own expense in a show of solidarity with their American counterparts in the police department. This year marked the first time the Bobbies made Brooklyn their home base, as they were accommodated by the New York Marriott Hotel at the Brooklyn Bridge.

“Today I speak for all of Brooklyn when I commend your dedication in serving as the annual honor guard standing in respectful protection of all the visitors to Ground Zero at the five year commemoration of 9/11,” said Borough President Markowitz. “It says so much that you would join us during this somber time.”

On September 12, the third annual 9/11 Memorial Gala Dinner will take place in the ballroom of the New York Marriott Hotel at the Brooklyn Bridge. This year’s event will support the NYPD Museum, as well as publicly recognize the important work of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.