A Met firearms officer cleared of murdering violent gangster Chris Kaba now faces a gross misconduct hearing and could lose his job.
Sergeant Martyn Blake shot the 24-year-old in the head after he drove towards officers in an attempt to smash through a roadblock in Streatham, south London.
Officers had been tailing Mr Kaba, a 'core member' of one of the capital's most dangerous gangs, after linking his Audi to a gangland shooting the previous evening.
Mr Blake told jurors how he feared his colleagues would be run over as the thug used his car as a 'battering ram' to try and force his way between a police car and a Tesla parked nearby.
After his swift acquittal last October, the Met argued the evidence against him had been 'tested significantly' and called on the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) watchdog to spare the officer from misconduct proceedings.
But the IOPC announced today that it had decided to haul Mr Blake before a misconduct panel, meaning he will now face a painful and lengthy legal process that could end with his dismissal.
Police misconduct hearings are only subject to a 'civil' test, which states that an honest but mistaken belief in a particular action must be 'reasonable' - a far lower threshold than in a criminal trial.
The IOPC's move has enraged politicians, police unions and serving officers, who downed their weapons after the deeply controversial decision to charge Mr Blake with murder - forcing the Army to be put on stand-by to plug the gap.
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.'
The fatal shooting happened on September 5, 2022 after armed police started tailing Mr Kaba's Audi Q8 because it had been used as a getaway car in a shooting the night before.
The incident provoked a stream of criticism from left-wing politicians before Mr Blake's acquittal allowed the press to reveal Mr Kaba's status as one of London's most feared gangsters with a shocking history of violence.
Mr Kaba was high on cocaine and still had gun residue on his sleeve and a balaclava in his car, providing 'strong evidence' that he had carried out the Brixton shooting the night before, the Old Bailey heard.
Just six days before his death, Kaba brazenly gunned down a rival in the middle of a crowded nightclub during a bloody feud for control of a profitable county lines drug network.
Had he not been killed, Kaba would have stood trial at the Old Bailey for the attempted murder.
In October, Jurors took just three hours to acquit Mr Blake, who was later praised and promoted by Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, who warned charging the police in such situations was 'crushing the spirit of good officers' and was making London less safe.
The IOPC's decision to pursue misconduct hearings against the officer provoked fury today.
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Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said he was 'deeply disappointed' by the decision decision, adding: 'Sergeant Martyn Blake has already been unanimously acquitted of murder by a jury having carefully considered all the facts and evidence.
'He made a difficult decision in the heat of a moment, when confronted by a car associated with firearms offences ramming into police officers. Chris Kaba was a violent gang member.
'We need to support police officers who do difficult things to protect the public, provided they act in accordance with the law, as a jury found this officer did. This has hung over Sergeant Blake for too long. I think the IOPC has got this wrong.'
Scotland Yard will now consider whether to launch a legal challenge against the decision.
Met Police Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, using the cypher NX121 that was given to Mr Blake before a judge ruled he could be publicly named, said: '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.'
A chief officer from an outside force will be asked to chair the disciplinary hearing, which will be held in due course, the Met said.
Mr Blake was publicly named during his trial as is standard practice, but restrictions remain in place banning the publication of his address or any description or image of him.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is bringing in legal changes that will give police marksmen accused of murder the right to anonymity up to the point of conviction.
Mr Kaba's family said: 'We welcome the IOPC's direction that the Met Police must bring disciplinary proceedings against Martyn Blake. We hope this leads to him being removed from the Met Police.
'What Martyn Blake did was deeply wrong. We are still so devastated to have lost Chris - this should never have happened.
'The fact that the Met promoted Martyn Blake after the verdict only deepened our pain and showed a complete disregard for our loss. Martyn Blake should not be allowed to remain a police officer. He should lose his job.'
Downing Street said Sir Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper were 'clear' the verdict of the jury at the criminal trial that found the officer not guilty 'must be respected'.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'Firstly, it's a decision for the IOPC, who are independent of Government. I think you'll remember, on the criminal trial, the Home Secretary told the House in October the verdict of the jury - who found the office not guilty - must be respected.
'More generally, we have also taken action to make sure the police - particularly firearm officers - have the confidence they need to do their jobs.'
Downing Street confirmed the PM has confidence in the IOPC.