Chris Kaba police shooter Martyn Blake faces IOPC hearing

Firearms officer Martyn Blake shot the 24-year-old in Streatham in September 2022 after Mr Kaba tried to ram his way past police cars that had hemmed him in.

Blake, 41, was acquitted of murder following a trial at the Old Bailey in October 2024.

But the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has decided there is a question whether the officer’s use of force was excessive and has instructed the Metropolitan Police to hold a gross misconduct hearing.

This is despite the view of Laurence Taylor, assistant commissioner of the Met, that Blake should not face further action following the jury’s not guilty verdict.

He said: “We recognise the significant impact of Mr Kaba’s death on his family who continue to grieve the loss of a loved one.

“Since NX121 was acquitted, the IOPC has been reconsidering whether he should face misconduct proceedings.

“We made strong representations that he should not face any further action due to the extensive evidence tried and tested at court and the not guilty verdict returned by the jury.

“We know any fatal use of force by police understandably prompts concern among communities.

“NX121 made a split-second decision on what he believed was necessary to protect his colleagues and London and a jury unanimously decided that was an honestly-held belief and the force used was reasonable.

“However, the IOPC has now determined that NX121 has a case to answer for his use of force and has directed us to hold a gross misconduct hearing.

“We know another lengthy process will fall heavily on the shoulders of NX121 and more widely our firearms officers, who continue to bravely and tirelessly police the streets of London every day to protect the public.

“Our armed officers respond to more than 4,000 incidents each year, but there are only one or two incidents where shots are fired by police each year.

“These officers are the most professional, accountable and cautious in their use of lethal force in the world and their operations have prevented countless acts of violence across our city.

“Now is not the time for debate and discussion about this case, it is important that we do not risk prejudicing NX121’s right to an impartial hearing.

“We will provide further updates and comment when these proceedings have concluded.”

On the night Mr Kaba died, police began following the Audi Q8 that he was driving because it had been used as a getaway car in a shooting in Brixton, south London, the night before.

They did not know who was driving the car at the time, although it later emerged Mr Kaba was a core member of one of London’s most dangerous street gangs and was accused of being involved in two shootings in the week before he died.

Dozens of Metropolitan Police armed officers downed tools in outrage when Mr Blake was charged with murder and the army was put on stand-by to plug the gap.

In a statement on Wednesday, IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: “We understand the impact this decision will have on Chris Kaba’s family and Sergeant Blake and acknowledge the significant public interest in this case, particularly among our Black communities, firearms officers and the wider policing community.

“This is a decision we have taken based on examining all the evidence, views of all parties and by applying the thresholds set out in legislation and guidance which govern our work.

“The legal test for deciding whether there is a case to answer is low – is there sufficient evidence upon which, on the balance of probabilities, a disciplinary panel could make a finding of misconduct. This has been met and therefore we need to follow the legal process.

“We appreciate that the Home Office is carrying out a review of the legal test for the use of force in misconduct cases, however, we must apply the law as it currently stands.”

A date for the hearing has not been set and will be chaired by a chief officer from another police force to add impartiality.