Police officers failed to properly search the man who fatally shot a South London sergeant, an inquest has ruled.
A coroner concluded that Sgt Matt Ratana, who was murdered at the Croydon custody centre in 2020, was “unlawfully” killed, following an inquest at Croydon Town Hall on Monday, November 13.
Colleagues have paid tribute to the “popular” 54-year-old officer, who had also worked at Walworth Police Station, before being taken away by an “appalling act of violence”.
His killer Louis de Zoysa, 26-years-old at the time of sentencing, was handed a whole life term of imprisonment for murder in July. During the trial his legal team said he was suffering an autistic meltdown at the time of the shooting.
De Zoysa was first arrested and searched by police officers in September 2020, who found bullets in his pocket.
But they failed to find an antique firearm that he’d concealed in an underarm holster.
Hours later, while being held at the Croydon custody centre, he opened fire on Matt Ratana, killing him.
In the inquest, the coroner concluded that “there were failures in the searching and observations of Louis de Zoysa”, a Met Police statement said.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) identified learning points for two arresting police constables around the searching and transportation of trainees.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner (DAC) Stuart Cundy, said: “The arresting officers recognised that their search and observations of de Zoysa could have been more systematic, and should have found the firearm.
“Later at the police station these same officers showed great courage in disarming de Zoysa whilst he continued to fire the gun. I admire their bravery and that of everyone who was in the custody centre that night.”
Matt Ratana: Police puppies named in honour of sergeant killed on duty
The IOPC has also recommended that the National Police Chief’s Council put handheld metal detectors in police vehicles to help with searches.
Since then, over 4,300 detectors have been deployed for officers to use in custody suites and police vehicles.
DAC Cundy, said: “My first thoughts are with Matt’s partner Su and his family. The appalling act of violence that stole Matt from them continues to have a lasting impact on all his loved ones and the large number of people whose lives he touched, both inside and outside of the Met.
“At the time of his tragic murder just over three years ago, Matt had served the public for almost three decades. Like others, when I heard Matt had been fatally shot I was utterly shocked. The accounts of the officers who gave evidence highlighted the dangers and the challenges police officers face.”