Met Police welcome seven puppies in memory of Sergeant Matt Ratana who was killed on duty | UK News

The Metropolitan Police have welcomed seven newborn puppies in memory of Sergeant Matt Ratana, who was killed in the line of duty.

The 54-year-old officer was shot dead at Croydon Detention Center in September 2020 as he prepared to search a handcuffed suspect.

Commissioner Cressida Dick visited the Met Dog Training Center in Keston to meet the ‘Ratana Litter’ alongside the late partner of Officer Su Bushby, who chose their names in tribute to him.

The German Shepherd puppies will embark on a 12-month training course to become fully licensed police dogs – and have been assigned to dog handlers.

The parents of the puppies are also police dogs, named Prada Van De Daeienberghuhe “Storm” and Pascalz OBA Magnum Nitra “Pax”.

The seven names chosen for the puppies by Mrs. Bushby are Matiu, Carter and Jonah for the males, and Kora, Blu, Valentine and Whanau for the females.

The New Zealand-born cop’s full name was Matiu – while other puppy names include Maori words for a fern frond and unfurling family.

Ratana litter is expected to hit the streets in just three months – and is expected to retire around the age of eight.

Like all Met Police dogs, they will be living at home with their Petty Officers and families.

As general-purpose police dogs, they will spend their time at work looking for human scent, helping find suspects, and locating weapons such as guns and knives.

Commissioner Dick said: “I was delighted that we asked Su to name the puppies and were able to welcome them together to the Met in preparation for their puppy training and possibly police training.

“Matt was much loved and respected and …