The MPA worked closely with the MPS and its partners, including London's 32 borough councils, crime and disorder reduction partnerships and other agencies in the criminal justice system.
In addition to its general strategic functions, the MPA set and monitored the annual police budget.
It consisted of 23 members: 12 London Assembly members, appointed by the Mayor of London in accordance with the political balance on the Assembly, four magistrates, and seven independents.
Previously, control of the Metropolitan Police had vested entirely in the Home Secretary.
The MPAs ceased to exist on 16 January 2012, when its functions were transferred to the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC).