A firearms officer with the Metropolitan Police, identified by the cipher NX121, will not face misconduct proceedings nearly four years after shooting and killing Chris Kaba, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced. The decision follows a period of regulatory review and concludes nearly four years of uncertainty for the officer.
Mr. Kaba, 24, was killed in September 2022 when the officer, Martyn Blake, shot him after Mr. Kaba drove his vehicle towards a police roadblock in Streatham, south London. Mr. Kaba's vehicle had been identified as a getaway car used in a gang-related shooting the previous night. Armed officers had boxed in the vehicle, and Mr. Kaba was shot when he maneuvered the car back and forth, nearly dragging officers under its wheels.
Officer Blake had previously been cleared of murder by a jury at the Old Bailey. The IOPC had initially recommended that Mr. Blake face a gross misconduct hearing but paused the process pending changes to government regulations concerning the use of force. Following these changes and consideration of representations from Mr. Kaba's family and the officer, the IOPC determined there were no exceptional circumstances to justify disciplinary proceedings.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley stated that the decision ends nearly four years of worry for the officer and the wider firearms command. He also advocated for a reset of the police accountability system, which he described as "out of balance." Sir Mark expressed concern about the strain on officers who face multiple accountability processes, including criminal, misconduct, civil, and inquest proceedings, which can span years. He argued that this lengthy accountability processes can make officers hesitant to act due to legal jeopardy, potentially impacting their effectiveness in fighting crime and the safety of the public.
Paula Dodds, chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation, welcomed the decision, emphasizing the importance of policies that support officers' lawful decisions based on training. She noted the officer had endured years of legal scrutiny and that his continuation in public service without this matter hanging over him is a positive outcome.
The IOPC has notified the coroner of its decision. Consideration of whether to reopen the inquest had been paused while disciplinary matters were outstanding. Following the incident, reports indicated that a bounty was placed on Mr. Blake's head by criminal elements.