Man found guilty of murdering Sergeant Matt Ratana

Louis De Zoysa, 25, of no fixed address, was convicted of murdering Matt Ratana, a long-serving and popular Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) sergeant who had been a police officer for 29 years.

The MPS has joined Mr Ratana’s family, friends and colleagues in welcoming the result in this “awful case”, which was investigated by the MPS’s Specialist Crime Command.

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: “I first met Su – Matt’s partner – in my second week as Commissioner when I visited Croydon to pay my respects to Matt on the anniversary of his murder. I am inspired by the strength she showed then and even more so by the strength she has shown in recent weeks.

“I cannot begin to imagine how difficult this ordeal has been for her and for all of Matt’s family and friends. We will continue to offer them every possible support into the future.

“Matt dedicated almost 30 years to policing and was nearing retirement when he was tragically murdered. He was an outstanding officer who brought joy to his work, treating everyone with respect, compassion and good humour.

“In the days after his death, tributes flowed in from Matt’s colleagues, from communities he had served and from those who knew him in his life outside policing. They were a testament to the man he was.

“Whether it was on the street or in a custody centre as a uniformed police officer, or on the rugby field as a player and later a coach, it is clear he was someone who made an enduring impact wherever he went. We will ensure that he is never forgotten.

“I have also seen the heavy impact that Matt’s murder had on his colleagues, those he worked with in Croydon and also the many officers and staff he had served alongside in his lengthy career.

“That impact is particularly felt by those who were present on the night he was murdered.

“This tragedy has caused me to reflect on the uncertain world within which police officers operate and the risks they face day by day.

“Officers never have a perfect picture of what awaits them at the next incident. Every day we take several firearms off the streets of London and the majority are seized by unarmed officers.

“The men and women in policing, daily stepping forward into uncertainty and risk, are truly remarkable.

“The officers and staff who were on duty on the night Matt was killed showed just those attributes. Without their courage I believe that more lives would have been lost.

“I am immensely proud of their professionalism and their bravery. They have my enduring admiration and my full support.”

Ken Marsh, chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said: “Sgt Matt Ratana was the best of us. A larger than life, much loved and brave Metropolitan Police officer missed to this day by all who knew him.

“To hear and sadly be forced to see details of his death during the course of this trial has been harrowing for many colleagues who knew and respected this superb cop.

“Colleagues will be pleased to see justice has been served in this case and we hope that his killer pays the heaviest price for murdering a police officer. He should spend the rest of his life in custody.

“We would like at this time to also pay tribute to the painstaking work of Metropolitan Police detectives in this case. The difficulty of having to investigate the murder of a friend and colleague cannot be underestimated.

“Our thoughts remain with Sgt Ratana’s partner, family and friends from across the world – and his close colleagues. The good memories of Matt and legacy of his life will live on.”

Andy Walker, College of Policing lead for uniformed policing, said: “Officers regularly confront danger on behalf of the public, but we should always look to reduce the threat to officers where it is possible.

“We will support the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) as policing seeks to learn any lessons from the tragic and horrific murder of Matt Ratana.  Our thoughts and condolences remain with his family, friends and colleagues.”

De Zoysa was stopped by two uniformed police officers on vehicle patrol in London Road, Croydon, in the early hours of September 25, 2020.

He directed the officers to an amount of cannabis contained in a large holdall he was carrying. He was placed in handcuffs and detained for a search, during which they subsequently found some rounds of ammunition in a pouch, which De Zoysa described as “militaria” or “for show”.

He was arrested on suspicion of possession of ammunition and possession of Class B drugs with intent to supply.

Unknown to anyone, De Zoysa was concealing an antique firearm in a holster under his armpit.

Due to the discovery of the ammunition and for their security, officers handcuffed De Zoysa with his hands behind his back. He was placed in a police van and taken to the one of the MPS’s custody centres on Windmill Road in Croydon for a further search.

After arrival, Sgt Ratana checked De Zoysa’s temperature as part of Covid protocols in place at the time. He was then allowed to enter the custody suite.

De Zoysa was still handcuffed to the rear and was placed into a holding cell where officers remained with him. He was seated on a bench with his back to the wall. Sergeant Ratana authorised a further search of De Zoysa, including the use of a hand-held metal detector search wand.

The arresting officers were standing either side of De Zoysa with Sgt Ratana directly in front of him. As the officers struggled to get him to respond to an instruction to stand up, De Zoysa produced a gun to the right-hand side of his body and fired two shots at close range towards Sgt Ratana. Officers immediately tried to disarm De Zoysa as he fired a third shot. As they brought him to the floor, De Zoysa fired a fourth shot, which entered his own neck.

Police officers, staff and paramedics attempted to save Sgt Ratana’s life.

“Tragically, despite their best efforts and being rushed to hospital, his injuries proved fatal,” said the force.

“De Zoysa was given life-saving first aid, during which the hidden firearm holster was discovered, and he was subsequently taken to hospital.

De Zoysa had sustained serious injuries but on November 13, 2020, once he was well enough to understand, he was arrested on suspicion of murdering a police officer.

On June 29, 2021, he was deemed well enough to be formally charged with murder. On November 18, 2022, a judge from the Central Criminal Court, sitting at Northampton Crown Court, found De Zoysa fit to plead.

The investigation found that De Zoysa legally purchased the gun he used, an antique Colt .41, 1895 double-action revolver, under ‘obsolete calibre’ exemptions.

Following the murder, new government legislation was introduced banning this type of antique weapon.

It was established that De Zoysa had manufactured the ammunition used in the fatal shooting at home. No ammunition was readily available to buy for the 128-year-old-weapon.

The events surrounding the murder have been independently investigated by both the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The IOPC investigation into the search of De Zoyza found no indication any officer behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings or that they had committed a criminal offence. They did identify some learning for two individual officers around body searching and transportation of detainees.

The IOPC has recommended to the NPCC that it considers the implementation of handheld metal detectors in all police response vehicles and vehicles used to transport detained persons.

At the time of the murder, hand-held metal detector wands were already in use in MPS custody centres. Within weeks of the murder, the MPS began a roll-out of handheld search wands to vehicles used to transport suspects. Now 4,300 wands have been issued for use across the force for frontline officers in custody vehicles and officers on foot/cycle patrol.

“Officer and staff safety is always a priority for the Met and safety procedures, training and equipment are constantly kept under review,” the force said. “The Met has further improved its Public and Personal Safety Training (PPST). Training places a significant emphasis on scenarios and practical skills that officers can immediately implement.

“From February 2022, the use of search wands was incorporated into training, which focuses on their practical use as well enhanced searching of persons and vehicles.|

Speaking after the case, Sgt Ratana’s partner, Su Bushby, paid a moving tribute to him.

She said: “Today, Matt’s murderer has been found guilty of taking his life in a cruel and cowardly manner. The effects of which have left me, his family, colleagues and friends without the love and camaraderie he had with so many.

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported me, from my family and friends, the investigation team, the Crown Prosecution Service and Prosecution Counsel, and as a whole the Metropolitan Police, but today is about justice for Matt.

“His life was taken too soon, in the line of duty, doing a job that he loved. A cruel end to a lifetime of service and dedication protecting others.

“Whilst the court case has concluded, the constant feeling of grief and loss continues. My love for Matt, my gentle giant, will never end. He will not be forgotten.

“I again request that my right to privacy be respected. Thank you.”