Allow Exco Player content
This content is provided by Exco Player and may use cookies or similar technologies. Please click 'Allow and Continue' below to load the content.
The Met officer who fatally shot Chris Kaba will no longer face disciplinary proceedings, the police watchdog has confirmed.
Martyn Blake shot the 24-year-old gang member in Streatham, south-east London, in 2022 after he tried to ram his way past police cars.
The officer, known by the cypher NX121, was cleared of murder by a jury at the Old Bailey, with fellow police marksmen enraged that he had faced charges.
Chris Kaba was shot dad by a police officer in September 2022 (Family handout/Met Police/PA)PA MediaSgt Blake was still due to face misconduct proceedings but watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) paused the process while it waited for Government regulation changes to be published.
Last month the IOPC said it believes the misconduct proceedings should not go ahead, and would consult with the Kaba family who had the chance to argue there are exceptional circumstances which mean disciplinary proceedings should happen.
In a statement on Wednesday the IOPC confirmed proceedings would not go ahead.
It said it had carefully considered the family’s representations and had decided there are no exceptional circumstances in the case.
Father-to-be Kaba was shot through the windscreen of an Audi Q8 by Mr Blake.
When the officer was acquitted, it emerged drill rapper Kaba was a core member of the Brixton Hill-based 67 gang, one of London’s most dangerous.
When he died, he was suspected of involvement in two different shootings within the space of five days.
Mr Blake told the Old Bailey at his murder trial he was aiming at the central body mass of Kaba, and did not want to kill him.
The IOPC previously released footage of the incident where Chris Kaba was fatally shot by Martyn BlakePAHe told jurors he was intending to stop the car, and feared for the safety of his police colleagues.
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.
Read More
“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 to reopen an inquest into Kaba’s death.
Paula Dodds, chair 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.
Helen Lumuanganu (second left) and Prosper Kaba (left), the mother and father of Chris Kaba, arriving at the Old Bailey during Mr Blake’s trial (James Manning/PA)PA Archive“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.”
In a statement issued through the charity Inquest last month, when the intention to not bring misconduct proceedings was announced, the Kaba family said: “The IOPC makes explicit mention of the force used by Martyn Blake in Chris’s death as a stark example for dropping misconduct proceedings in unresolved cases.
“This gives every appearance that the IOPC has a closed mind on this specific case.”