On 25 September 2020, whilst working in the Croydon Customer Centre in Windmill Road, Sgt Matt Ratana tragically lost his life as he was shot by a suspect and died on the scene. As a mark of respect, officers attended Windmill Road days after his passing and were encouraged to leave an epaulette – honouring Sgt Ratana’s New Zealand background. 300-plus epaulettes were collected.
Two years after his tragic passing, a mural tribute to Sgt Matt Ratana was created by Croydon College students. The students were briefed by the MET to create and design artwork including the image of the New Zealand fern and using more than 300 epaulettes donated by officers in the days, weeks and months after Sgt Ratana’s murder.
Around 20 students submitted designs after reading the brief given by the MET team. These 20 students were shortlisted to 3 students, each of whom had done a huge amount of research.
The three students, Mia McCollin, Georgina Pender and Jasmine Robinson then had to pitch their ideas (see images below) to a panel of 12 people including serving officers, friends of Matt Ratana and his partner Sue.
The students worked hard in their own time to problem-solve ways that this brief would work and how to make the mural last.
With help from many of the staff in the School of Art and with lots of patience from the MET police, Croydon College art students chose to create a design that would highlight the unity and solidarity of the officers.
On 23 September, the unveiling of Matt Ratana’s Mural took place at Croydon Custody Centre and was incredibly successful. Well done to all the students who participated and submitted designs for this special memorial artwork.
Read more at http://ow.ly/M0xg50KT7ze
