‘Big friendly bear’ was weeks from retirement after 30 years as a cop
Suspect was in handcuffs when the revolver was fired
THE murder suspect in the fatal shooting of Met Police officer Matt Ratana had his hands cuffed behind his back when shots were fired in the Croydon custody centre, the police watchdog said last night.
The man had been seated in a holding area inside the building and was being searched with a metal detector when the shots were fired, the Independent Office for Police Conduct said.
The BBC reported that the suspect was believed to have been on the radar of counter terror police in the past, but this was not confirmed officially.
Two special constables had reportedly arrested the man and taken him by van to the custody suite just after 2am.
Police would not comment on what searches had been carried out on him prior to the incident, but said no police firearms were discharged.
A murder probe has been launched and the Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating how the gun got into the custody suite.
IOPC regional director Sal Naseem said: “The man was arrested for possession of class B drugs with intent to supply and possession of ammunition.
“The man was handcuffed to the rear before being transported to Croydon custody suite in a police vehicle where he was escorted into the building.
“He remained handcuffed to the rear and seated in a holding area in the custody suite. His handcuffs remained in place while officers prepared to search him using a metal detector.
FATAL SHOTS
“It is at this point that shots were fired resulting in the fatal injuries to the officer and critical injuries to the man.”
The officers who witnessed the incident had not been interviewed because of the trauma they have suffered, he said.
CCTV and body video of the incident is being examined.
As an inquiry began to establish how the 23-year-old suspect got a loaded gun into the custody centre, friends paid tribute to the popular New Zealand-born officer, who has a son, aged 26.
Amanda Tessier, whose sister Sue has been in a relationship with Sgt Ratana for four years, said: “He was a great big friendly bear of a man, one of the loveliest men you could meet. He was absolutely
DO NOT CROSS Incident tape at the Croydon custody suite
dedicated di t dt to b being i a police li officer ffi and d had almost 30 years of service. He knew the dangers of being a police officer in London, but for him it was all part of the job. It was something he was trained in and used to.
“He was such a lovely guy. He was a big friendly guy. He liked to keep fit and loved his rugby but he also liked a burger or two. How did someone have a gun in the police station?”
Amanda said her sister was devastated. She said: “They had been together for about four years. She got a knock on the door in the morning. We can’t believe it. He was the
lif life and d soul, l a real l f fun-loving l i guy.” ” Sh She said Sgt Ratana was a passionate rugby fan, saying those he coached would be “devastated”. Breaking down in tears, she said: “It’s just awful.”
The sergeant was killed just weeks before he was due to retire with 30 years’ service. He told a magazine in 1996: “I’ve got this photo of me as a kid wearing a police helmet. One of my uncles sent it over. I don’t remember growing up wanting to be a policeman, but now that I am I wouldn’t change it for anything.” Originally from Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand, he moved to the UK in 1989 and
joined j i d the th M Met t in i 1991. 1991 He H was the th grandson of Iriaka Ratana, the first Maori woman MP in New Zealand.
Previously based at Charing Cross Police Station, he was just 300 metres from an exploding IRA car bomb outside No10 in 1992, and was a protection officer for Princess Diana, the Queen Mother and ex-PM John Major.
A police source said: “He was a great police officer, proactive and helpful and he did a huge amount for children’s charities. This was a huge f*** up.”
The sergeant had previously been married to an Irish woman and leaves behind a 26-year-old son.
Five years ago Sgt Ratana uncovered an ammunition “factory” in South
Norwood, South London, while searching for cannabis. In 2017 a man was charged with assaulting the officer, but it is not thought to have resulted in a conviction.
The sergeant played for professional rugby club London Irish and was coaching at East Grinstead Rugby Club in Sussex just hours before he was shot. He left training at 9pm to begin a night shift, and within hours was dead. A club player named Paul, 27, paid his respects outside the custody suite yesterday.
He said: “He was a vibrant, bubbly, largerthan-life man. If you had a problem with anything you could speak to him about it.”
Borough commander Dave Stringer led a minute’s silence at 4pm outside the custody centre. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Met Commissioner Cressida Dick and Home
Secretary Priti Patel joined in the tribute. Community police officer Jacqueline Kufuor wept after laying flowers.
One bouquet left at the scene included a poem, reading: “You take your place of honour, among those who have gone before, and now you will be remembered, for now and evermore. “Sleep in Peace.” Met Commissioner Cressida
TOUCHING Note left for “Sarge” at the scene
Dick said: “I have visited and spoken to our officer’s partner, together with other colleagues, and we are of course giving her the best support we can.”
Ms Dick added: “My heartfelt condolences go to her, to their family, his colleagues and his close friends.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “We owe a huge debt to those who risk their own lives to keep us safe.”
I have spoken to our officer’s partner, and we are giving her the best support we can
CRESSIDA DICK MET POLICE COMMISSIONER