The Mayor of Croydon, cross-party councillors and council staff stood united on Friday to pay tribute to a local police officer who lost his life in the line of duty last week.
Following the death on 25 September of Sgt Matt Ratana at Croydon Custody Centre, at 11am today (Friday) his colleagues at the Metropolitan Police held a minute’s silence in his memory.
At the same time, Croydon councillors representing both of the borough’s main parties joined with council staff to hold a minute’s silence via an online Zoom call in tribute to Sgt Ratana. The Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Maddie Henson, also marked the 11am minute’s silence in remembrance of Sgt Ratana during a visit to the Croydon Voluntary Action Centre in London Road.
Councillors who took part in the minute’s silence included the leader of the council, Councillor Tony Newman, opposition leader Councillor Jason Perry, and members of the council’s senior leadership team. The council also lowered the flag outside Croydon town hall to half-mast in tribute to Sgt Ratana.
Councillor Newman said: “Sergeant Ratana’s tragic death has shocked not just the borough of Croydon but people around the world. Our first thoughts remain with his loved ones and colleagues mourning his untimely loss.
“In solidarity with our Metropolitan Police colleagues paying tribute today to one of their own, the Mayor of Croydon, council staff and elected representatives from across political parties have stood to play our part in honouring a man who devoted his career to serving his local communities, including for many years the people of this borough.”
