The police marksman involved in the shooting death of Chris Kaba will not face misconduct proceedings, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced. The decision follows a shift in the legal test used for police misconduct cases.
Proceedings involving Sgt Martyn Blake were paused in January pending the introduction of a new law concerning the use of force in misconduct cases. The IOPC stated that in June, this test changed from the civil law standard to the criminal law standard, leading to the current decision.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley acknowledged the ruling, stating it concludes nearly four years of uncertainty for Sgt Blake, identified by his cypher NX121. "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," Rowley said. He also recognized the ongoing grief of Chris Kaba's family.
Blake shot Kaba, 24, in Streatham, south London, in 2022. Kaba was driving a vehicle that attempted to ram police cars. Blake was previously acquitted of murder following a trial in 2024.