[ad_1]
The New Zealand Prime Minister has offered her condolences to the family and colleagues of a police officer killed on duty in the UK.
Sergeant Matiu Ratana was originally from Hawke’s Bay on New Zealand’s North Island, but had served in the Metropolitan Police for much of his career.
Jacinda Ardern wrote on Facebook that she was “incredibly saddened” to hear the news of her death.
She added: “Sergeant Ratana worked in Auckland City and Manukau Counties until 2008, before returning to the UK. To all Matiu whanau (family) around the world, we share your grief and have all our condolences “.
Known as Matt to his family and friends, the 54-year-old Sergeant Ratana joined the force in 1991.
He was shot and killed in Croydon Custody Center by a suspect handcuffed and armed with a revolver on Friday and later died in hospital.
The police officers bring flowers to place on the spot.
The 23-year-old suspect, who had been arrested for possession of class B drugs with the intention of supplying and possessing ammunition, also shot himself during the incident at around 2.15am and is in critical but stable condition in hospital.
Ratana, a “talented” rugby player and coach, was “large in stature and with a big heart,” Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said Friday.
No police firearms were fired and the case is not being treated as terrorism related.
I met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick, who with London Mayor Sadiq Khan led police officers around the capital in a minute of silence, describing the officer as a “talented police officer.”
She told a news conference: “His colleagues knew him as a big guy. Big, big-hearted, friendly, capable, a charming man, respected by his colleagues.”
“He was well known locally and will be fondly remembered in Croydon and missed there, as well as at the Met.”
She leaves behind a partner and an adult child from a previous relationship, he added.
Matt Ratana was a custodial sergeant in Croydon
A murder investigation was launched and investigators from the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) watchdog are on the scene.
The suspect was arrested by regular officers after an arrest and search, then handcuffed behind his back before being taken to the station in a police vehicle.
The IOPC said he was taken to the building and sat in a holding area in the custody room, then opened fire while still handcuffed as officers prepared to search him with a metal detector.
“A non-police firearm, which appears to be a revolver, was recovered from the scene. More ballistic work will be required.”
Forces from across the country waved flags at half mast as a show of respect and tributes were showered for Sergeant Ratana, whom Dame Cressida Dick described as a “charming, charming and highly respected police officer.”
He was a coach at East Grinstead Rugby Club and was described by a friend as “inspiring”, “larger than life” and a “machine”.
His friend Paul told Sky News: “He helped a lot at the club. We lost funds and he came and helped us.
“It was inspiring, so vibrant, so bubbly, larger than life. It will be a great loss for the club.
“The man was a machine. He was training last night from 7 to 9 at night. That is the last time I saw him. He was scheduled to retire soon and I was looking forward to him.”
A note about the flowers left outside the Croydon Custody Center
Community Police Officer Jacqueline Kufuor burst into tears after laying flowers and described Sergeant Ratana as “a lovely boy” and “the nicest man I have ever met.”
She said, “You never expect this to happen when you go to work. That he was in custody and that this happened is very sad.”
