Sgt Martyn Blake Avoids Misconduct Case in 2022 Chris Kaba Shooting

1 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 5

The IOPC said Sgt Martyn Blake will not face misconduct proceedings over the 2022 fatal shooting of 24-year-old Chris Kaba in south London, closing a case that had remained unresolved after his 2024 murder acquittal.
June's rule change on police use of force drove the decision, shifting misconduct reviews from a civil-law test to a criminal-law test so conduct that is not criminal should not be treated as misconduct.
The watchdog had paused any action in January until the legal change took effect and its impact became clear.
Met Commissioner Mark Rowley said the ruling ends almost four years of uncertainty for Blake—known as NX121—and argued the case shows police can face overlapping criminal, misconduct, civil and inquest processes for years.
Kaba was shot in Streatham in September 2022 after police said he tried to ram his way past police cars; Rowley also acknowledged the continuing grief of Kaba's family.