Met officer who shot Chris Kaba will not face misconduct case

The police officer who shot Chris Kaba will not face misconduct proceedings, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has said.

Blake shot 24-year-old Kaba in Streatham, south London, in 2022 after he tried to ram his way past police cars. He was cleared of murder following a trial in 2024.

A decision was made in January to pause any proceedings involving Sgt Martyn Blake until a law change relating to the use of force in misconduct cases was introduced and its impact was clear, the IOPC said.

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said the IOPC’s decision brought an end to “almost four years of uncertainty” for Blake, and referred to him by his cypher NX121.

In June the use of force test in such cases changed from the civil law test to the criminal law test, meaning actions that did not amount to a crime should not amount to misconduct either.

Rowley said: “Today’s decision finally brings to an end almost four years of uncertainty for NX121, his family and the wider firearms command, with all the considerable worry and stress that has brought.

“We also recognise the profound impact on Chris Kaba’s family, who continue to grieve their loss.”

He added: “Since NX121’s unanimous acquittal by an Old Bailey jury, and in the absence of any evidence that he failed in his duties, we have been clear and consistent in our view that he should not face a misconduct hearing.”

The commissioner said the decision “must be a milestone moment” to reset the police accountability system.

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