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Officer Who Shot Chris Kaba to Face Misconduct Hearing
The Metropolitan Police officer who fatally shot Chris Kaba, a 24-year-old unarmed Black man, will face gross misconduct proceedings, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed.
This follows the October 2024 acquittal of Sergeant Martyn Blake, who was cleared of murder charges in a high-profile trial at the Old Bailey. Despite the verdict, the IOPC has ruled that there is enough evidence to examine whether Blake breached police conduct standards during the incident.
What Happened to Chris Kaba?
On the night of September 5, 2022, armed officers stopped a vehicle in Streatham, South London. The Audi being driven by Chris Kaba had been linked to a recent firearms incident through automatic number plate recognition.
Sergeant Blake fired one shot through the windscreen, striking Kaba in the head. A later search revealed that Kaba was unarmed at the time of the shooting. The case quickly became the subject of public scrutiny and national protests.
Trial and Legal Outcome
In 2024, Sergeant Blake stood trial for murder. The court heard that Kaba was under suspicion for his alleged ties to a gang and a recent nightclub shooting. However, this information was not disclosed to the jury, which ultimately found Blake not guilty after approximately three hours of deliberation.
Following the trial, the officer was reinstated to duty but remained under review pending any disciplinary outcomes.
Why the Gross Misconduct Hearing Is Going Ahead
The IOPC has now announced that Blake will face a formal disciplinary process. The gross misconduct hearing will determine whether his use of force was justified or whether he violated established police procedures.
If found guilty, Blake could be dismissed from the force.
The IOPC stated that while the officer was acquitted in criminal court, misconduct standards differ from legal standards and must be judged independently.
Public Reaction
Reactions have been mixed. Kaba’s family welcomed the hearing, calling it a step toward justice and accountability. “This is not about revenge—it’s about the value of a life,” one family member said.
Some in the policing community, however, criticized the move. They argue that launching misconduct proceedings after a court acquittal undermines public trust in the justice system and may discourage officers from serving in high-risk roles.
The Metropolitan Police said it respects the IOPC's process but emphasized that its officer had been cleared in a court of law.
What’s Next
As of now, no date has been announced for the gross misconduct hearing. It is expected to be closely watched by human rights organizations, police oversight bodies, and community groups.
