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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 He was originally from Hawke’s Bay on the North Island of New Zealand, but had worked 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.
The police officers bring flowers to place on the spot.
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 at the Croydon Custody Center by a suspect handcuffed and armed with a revolver around 2:15 a.m. Friday, then died in hospital.
The 23-year-old suspect, who had been arrested for possession of Class B drugs with the intent to supply and possess ammunition, also shot himself during the incident and is in critical but stable condition at the hospital.
No police firearms were fired in the incident and the case is not being treated as terrorism-related.
It is understood that the suspect was not considered a subject of concern by the security services, but reports suggest that he may have previously been referred to the anti-extremism program Prevent.
Sky crime correspondent Martin Brunt said: “It appears that the suspect was at some point on the radar of the counterterrorism police, but as far as we know, MI5 never formally investigated him.”
“If anything, he was a peripheral figure in terms of any terrorist connection.”
Met Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick, after leading officers across the capital in a minute’s silence alongside London Mayor Sadiq Khan, paid tribute to Sergeant Ratana at a press conference.
“His colleagues knew him as a great guy,” he said. “Of great stature, big heart, 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.”
Sergeant Ratana leaves behind a partner and an adult son from a previous relationship, he added.
Sergeant Ratana was a custody officer in Croydon.
Sergeant Ratana’s colleagues have launched a murder investigation, and the watchdog of the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) has also started an investigation.
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 detention area in a custody suite, 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, has been recovered from the scene,” the IOPC said. “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 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”.
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.”
