The police officer who shot and killed Chris Kaba faces dismissal for gross misconduct, despite being cleared of murder.
Scotland Yard initially supported the decision to pursue disciplinary action against Martyn Blake, sparking frustration among firearms officers who felt they lacked adequate support.
However, following Blake’s acquittal, the Metropolitan Police appears to have reconsidered and now wants the 40-year-old to return to duty.
The Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) is still expected to order a gross misconduct hearing but will first review the evidence from Blake’s trial to ensure nothing new has emerged that might alter its decision, according to The Times.
The police officer who shot and killed Chris Kaba is likely to face gross misconduct proceedings - which could lead to dismissal - despite being cleared of murderPA/ GettyOn Monday, a jury swiftly acquitted Blake in under three hours for the shooting of Kaba, who was alleged to have been a key figure in one of London’s most notorious gangs.
Blake told the court that he feared Kaba, 24, might use his Audi to fatally harm officers in Streatham Hill, south London, in September 2022.
The 24-year-old was shot dead by the police marksman after an enforced stop, as the Audi that Kaba was driving had been flagged by police intelligence as being linked to a firearms incident the night before.
The IOPC spent seven months investigating the incident before forwarding the case to the Crown Prosecution Service, which approved a murder charge last September.
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Following its investigation, the IOPC concluded that Blake should face a separate gross misconduct hearing concerning his use of force, once the criminal proceedings were over.
In accordance with legal requirements, the IOPC shared this decision with the Met last year for their input. It is believed that the Met initially agreed that Blake had a case to answer for misconduct.
The IOPC will now re-examine the trial evidence, while the Met will have another chance to present their updated position.
It is understood that the Met is likely to argue that the facts have been thoroughly examined in court, and that senior officers no longer support pursuing gross misconduct charges, which could result in dismissal.
Dashcam footage shows moment just before Chris Kaba shot by a police marksman
PAEarlier today, it was revealed Kaba was on indictment for a trial that led to three men being found guilty of a range of offences for shooting a rival gang member in the legs in August 2022, just days before Kaba was shot dead.
It is now being alleged that Kaba carried out the shooting on Brandon Malutshi.
The shooting at the Oval Space nightclub in east London took place in late August 2022, around the same time as the Notting Hill Carnival.
Kaba was an open member of the “67” gang, a drill rap group linked to several murders and violent incidents.