In a significant development following a high-profile murder acquittal, a Metropolitan Police firearms officer will face a gross misconduct hearing over the fatal shooting of an unarmed man in London. Sergeant Martyn Blake, who was cleared of murdering 23-year-old Chris Kaba in October 2024, has now been directed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to attend disciplinary proceedings. This decision underscores the complex legal and ethical landscape surrounding police use of force in the UK and has reignited debates on accountability.
The Incident That Led to Fatal Force
On the evening of September 5, 2022, Chris Kaba was driving an Audi Q8 in Streatham Hill, south London. Police, acting on intelligence that the vehicle was linked to a previous firearms incident, initiated a pursuit. Specialist firearms officers, including Sergeant Blake, then stopped and contained the vehicle. During the operation, Kaba attempted to ram his way past police cars. Shortly thereafter, Sergeant Blake fired a single shot through the car’s windscreen, fatally wounding Mr. Kaba. Mr. Kaba, who was unarmed, died in hospital the following day. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) immediately launched a homicide investigation.
Background of the Victim and the Officer
Chris Kaba, an unarmed Black man who was reportedly months away from becoming a father, was known to have prior convictions and was allegedly a core member of a London-based gang known as 67. Details of his alleged involvement in other shootings and his criminal history were largely withheld from the murder trial jury to avoid prejudice, as Sergeant Blake could not have known this information at the time of the shooting.
Sergeant Martyn Blake, who was identified only by his service number NX121 during the initial stages of the investigation, was charged with murder. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) had initially agreed with the IOPC’s assessment that Blake had a case to answer for gross misconduct back in April 2023. However, following the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision to charge him with murder in September 2023, a trial was held at the Old Bailey.
Acquittal in Criminal Court, Proceeding to Misconduct Hearing
In October 2024, after a two-week trial, a jury unanimously found Sergeant Blake not guilty of murder. The defence argued that Sergeant Blake acted in the honest belief that he and his colleagues were in mortal danger, making a split-second decision to protect them. The jury’s verdict suggested they accepted this explanation. Following the acquittal, the MPS stated that the jury had found the officer’s belief to be honestly held and the force used to be reasonable.
Despite the criminal court’s decision, the IOPC has continued its review of the evidence. Applying a lower legal threshold for misconduct proceedings than for criminal trials, the watchdog concluded that there remains sufficient evidence to indicate that Sergeant Blake may have breached police professional standards concerning his use of force. Consequently, the IOPC has directed the Metropolitan Police to hold a gross misconduct hearing.
Differing Perspectives and Broader Concerns
The IOPC’s decision has been welcomed by the family of Chris Kaba, who are represented by Hickman & Rose solicitors and supported by the charity INQUEST. Their representatives stated their welcome for the disciplinary proceedings to go ahead. Conversely, the Metropolitan Police expressed disappointment, arguing that the jury’s acquittal after hearing extensive evidence should have been sufficient. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor noted that another lengthy process would weigh heavily on Sergeant Blake and other firearms officers, emphasizing that these officers police London daily and are trained to use force only when a risk to life is perceived.
The case has drawn significant attention, particularly from communities concerned about police use of lethal force, and has contributed to ongoing debates about police accountability and transparency. Following the murder charge against Sergeant Blake, a number of authorised firearms officers reportedly returned their permits in protest, leading to concerns about the impact on policing capacity in London. The IOPC stated that it must apply the law as it currently stands, even as the Home Office reviews the legal test for the use of force in misconduct cases. The direction for a misconduct hearing implies that a disciplinary panel, not the IOPC, will ultimately decide whether misconduct is proven.
The Path Ahead
The gross misconduct hearing will be chaired by an independent legally qualified officer from an outside police force. The outcome of this hearing could result in sanctions ranging from a formal warning to dismissal for Sergeant Blake. This ongoing process highlights the continuing scrutiny faced by firearms officers and the persistent questions about the appropriate use of force and accountability in London and across the UK, making this a critical news story for the popular London news cycle.
