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Met marksman cleared of murdering Chris Kaba to face gross misconduct proceedings Met officer cleared of murdering Chris Kaba to face misconduct proceedings
(32 minutes later)
Police watchdog announces Martyn Blake has case to answer for shooting in Streatham in 2022 Police watchdog says Martyn Blake, who shot 24-year-old in south London in 2022, will have gross misconduct hearing
The police marksman who was cleared of murder after shooting Chris Kaba will face gross misconduct proceedings, a watchdog has said. The police firearms officer who was cleared of murder after shooting Chris Kaba will face gross misconduct proceedings, a watchdog has said.
The Metropolitan police officer, Martyn Blake, 41, shot the 24-year-old in Streatham, south-east London, in September 2022 after Kaba tried to ram his way past police cars that had hemmed him in. The Metropolitan police officer Martyn Blake, 41, shot the 24-year-old in Streatham, south-east London, in September 2022 after Kaba tried to ram his way past police cars that had hemmed him in.
Six months after the shooting, in March 2023, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) watchdog said the Met officer should face gross misconduct proceedings. Six months after the shooting, in March 2023, the police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the Met officer should face gross misconduct proceedings.
IOPC director Amanda Rowe said on Wednesday: “We understand the impact this decision will have on Chris Kaba’s family and Sgt Blake and acknowledge the significant public interest in this case, particularly among our black communities, firearms officers and the wider policing community. The IOPC director, Amanda Rowe, said on Wednesday: “We understand the impact this decision will have on Chris Kaba’s family and Sgt 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.“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. “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.” “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.”
If the hearing finds Blake committed gross misconduct he could be dismissed.If the hearing finds Blake committed gross misconduct he could be dismissed.
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. 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.
Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, is introducing legal changes to give police marksmen accused of murder the right to anonymity up to the point of conviction. Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, is introducing legal changes to give firearms officers accused of murder the right to anonymity up to the point of conviction.