Prince William pays special tribute to fallen Kiwi cop Matt Ratana
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Prince William has paid tribute to fallen Kiwi cop, Sergeant Matt Ratana.
During a visit to Croydon Custody Centre to meet with Ratana s colleagues, the Duke of Cambridge laid a wreath at a memorial bench in honour of the Met police officer, who was killed while on duty last year.
The 38-year-old royal appeared moved as he laid the flowers, bowing his head solemnly.
He also spoke privately with the late officer s partner Su Busby and met the force s first wellbeing dog, Dexter, who was deployed to comfort traumatised staff.
The Duke of Cambridge met some of Sgt Ratana s colleagues at Croydon Custody Centre in South London to hear about their memories of working with the officer who was with the force for 29 years.
By Press Association 2021
The Duke of Cambridge lays a wreath
The Duke of Cambridge has laid a wreath in memory of a police officer killed in the line of duty.
William left the floral tribute at a memorial bench in honour of Metropolitan Police Sergeant Matt Ratana, who was fatally shot as he prepared to search a handcuffed suspect.
The duke was joined by Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick during his visit to Croydon Custody Centre, where the shooting happened in the early hours of September 25 last year.
As he arrived, the future king told Dame Cressida: “I’ve wanted to come here for a while”, and she replied: “It’s going to mean a lot to people.”