Matiu Ratana: Officer shot dead at Croydon police station named

Met Commissioner pays tribute to long-serving and ‘much loved’ officer

The police officer who died after being shot at a police station in Croydon, south London, has been named as Matiu Ratana, 54, known as Matt.

Met Commissioner Cressida Dick said Ratana was a "long-serving sergeant" and described him as "talented".

Dame Cressida said he joined the Met in 1991, adding: "He was a talented police officer, captain of his recruits training class." She said he first worked in Charing Cross before working in Hillingdon and Hackney.

Ratana died in hospital after the gunman, who was being detained for possession of ammunition and class B drugs, opened fire at Croydon custody centre during the early hours of Friday.

The 23-year-old murder suspect, who is believed to have shot himself, is in a critical condition in hospital.

Dame Cressida said Ratana was known as a "big guy" with a "big heart", adding: "A lovely man, respected by his colleagues, officers, staff and of course by members of the public, including, I may say, suspects arrested or dealt with in custody.

"He was very well known locally and he will be remembered so fondly in Croydon and missed there, as well as in the Met and in the rugby world."

Dame Cressida said he leaves behind a partner and an adult son from a previous relationship.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct, which is investigating due to a member of the public being seriously injured in police custody, said the suspect was in handcuffs when shots were fired.

IOPC regional director Sal Naseem said: "What we have established is that 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.

"It is at the point that shots were fired resulting in the fatal injuries to the officer and critical injuries to the man. A non-police issue firearm, which appears to be a revolver, has been recovered from the scene. Further ballistic work will be required."

A murder probe has been launched and investigators from the IOPC watchdog were at the scene to establish how the gun got into the custody suite.

The Met sergeant is the 17th from the force to be killed by a firearm since the end of the Second World War, according to the National Police Memorial roll of honour.

The prime minister, Boris Johnson, tweeted: "My deepest condolences go to the family, friends and colleagues of the police officer who was killed in Croydon last night.

"We owe a huge debt to those who risk their own lives to keep us safe."

Priti Patel, the home secretary, said: "I'm deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic killing of the officer in Croydon overnight.

"All our thoughts are with the officer's family, friends and colleagues across the Metropolitan Police force, but also policing family across the country.

"This is a sad day for our country as once again we see the tragic killing of a police officer in the line of duty as they're trying to protect us and keep us safe."

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: "I am devastated by the news a Metropolitan Police officer has lost his life.

"I was informed of this tragic incident by the Commissioner this morning, and my heart goes out to the family of this brave officer, who has paid the ultimate price for helping to keep Londoners safe."