Police sergeant Matt Ratana was unlawfully killed after cops failed find a gun hidden on handcuffed suspect

A POLICE sergeant was unlawfully killed after his colleagues failed to do a “safe, thorough and systematic” search, a coroner has ruled.

Sgt Matt Ratana was shot dead in September 2020 in a custody cell at a police station by Louis de Zoysa, who fired with a gun while handcuffed.

Cops missed the weapon despite finding bullets on De Zoysa when he was arrested.

He is serving a whole life sentence for the killing.

Senior coroner Sarah Ormond-Walshe ruled there was a “failure” in the checks during the hearing in Croydon, South London, yesterday.

The Met’s Stuart 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.”

He added: “The arresting officers recognised that their search and observations of de Zoysa could have been more systematic, and should have found the firearm.

“We will never forget Matt and will continue to honour his legacy, which will live on through his family, his many friends and colleagues in the Met, in his rugby foundation and beyond.”