No disciplinary proceedings against police officer who shot Chris Kaba
The police marksman who shot Chris Kaba will not face disciplinary proceedings, a watchdog has confirmed.
Martyn Blake, also known by the cypher NX121, was cleared of murder after an Old Bailey trial, but was due to face disciplinary proceedings. However, after the Government changed regulations around police use of force, watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct said this will now no longer take place. Figures in policing welcomed the decision, while campaigners said they are appalled and called the move “a devastating blow”. IOPC director of engagement Amanda Rowe said: “Our thoughts remain with Chris Kaba’s family and friends and everyone impacted by his death. “We are acutely aware of the impact of proceedings for everyone involved in this case and have always sought to avoid any unnecessary delays, however it was right that we paused progressing disciplinary proceedings until the legislation change came into effect and its impact was clear. “Having considered both our policy and the representations from the Kaba family and Sergeant Blake, we have today notified them of our decision to withdraw disciplinary proceedings.” A coroner will now decide whether an inquest will take place into Mr Kaba’s death. Paula Dodds, chairwoman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said: “This is very much the right decision that will not only be welcomed by the officer and his family, but all police officers across London. “It is imperative that there are policies in place for operational policing which support lawful decisions made by officers, based on their training, so that they should not be placed in fear of the loss of their liberty and livelihood. “Police officers are of course – and rightly – highly accountable for their actions. But the officer has sadly suffered years of legal scrutiny following this incident. “We are pleased this has all now concluded and that the officer can continue to serve the public without this hanging over him. “We thank his legal team for their years of hard work on this case.” Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley also welcomed the decision, saying: “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 said the IOPC’s decision should be “a milestone moment to reset a police accountability system that is out of balance”. He added: “No police officer is above the law, but we have been clear the system holding police to account is broken. “I worry about the lack of support officers face for doing their best, but most of all I worry for the public. As I have said before, the more we crush the spirit of good officers, the less they can fight crime.” After Sgt Blake’s acquittal, then-home secretary Yvette Cooper vowed to change laws around use of force for police officers, and as a result the test used by the IOPC over whether to bring misconduct proceedings has been raised to the level used in criminal law. Sgt Blake shot the 24-year-old in Streatham, south-east London, in 2022 after he tried to ram his way past police cars. On the night Mr Kaba died, police had followed and penned in the Audi he was driving because it had been linked to three previous firearms incidents in five months. They were not aware of his identity at the time, but Mr Kaba was a member of one of London’s most violent street gangs and was accused of being involved in two shootings in the six days before he died. Temi Mwale, from the Justice for Chris Kaba Campaign, said: “We are appalled by the IOPC’s decision to abandon disciplinary proceedings against Martyn Blake. “This is a devastating blow – not just to Chris Kaba’s family, but to everyone who cares about living in a society where the police are not above the law. “The extraordinary treatment of Martyn Blake throughout this case sends a dangerous message: when police kill, the system will bend over backwards to protect police officers rather than hold them accountable and deliver justice. “The IOPC had a choice. Today it chose not to do the right thing. That decision is deeply damaging to public confidence in its independence and its willingness to hold police officers to account.” Deborah Coles, director of the charity Inquest, said: “It is clear from our work that when police kill, they remain above the law. “The IOPC’s capitulation to firearms officers demonstrates a troubling reluctance to provide fearless and independent oversight. “This is a blow to the family and a chilling reminder of the serious and dangerous erosion of police accountability. It sends a message that police can act with impunity.”
Published: by Radio NewsHub