Banks, who opposes the inspector general idea as does the police commissioner and mayor, said he believes there is widespread support for the police department.

WSJ: NYPD chief: Community, police must work together

Home Secretary Theresa May said she had been briefed by the director general of Security Service MI5, Andrew Parker, and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe on the "sickening and barbaric" attack.

BBC: Woolwich machete attack leaves man dead

Facing calls from civil rights and minority advocates to rein in the police practice known as stop and frisk, she agreed to back creating an inspector general for police, an idea Bloomberg and the city's popular police commissioner vigorously oppose.

WSJ: NY mayoral hopeful would be a first, in 2 ways