Officer’s Misconduct Case Paused
Officer in Kaba shooting may not face – In September 2022, Chris Kaba was fatally shot in Streatham, a South London neighborhood. The incident involved Sergeant Martyn Blake, who fired at Kaba after he attempted to force his way through a line of police vehicles. Blake was acquitted of murder in a 2024 trial but had been under investigation for misconduct. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) recently decided to halt the disciplinary process, citing updated legal guidelines.
New Legal Framework
The IOPC revised its approach to evaluating officers’ use of force, aligning it with the criminal law standard. This means actions that do not constitute a crime under the new rules may also not qualify as misconduct. The change was implemented after the government adjusted the criteria for force-related cases, and the IOPC paused its review to await the updates.
“We carefully considered the law change and its stated intent to address the perceived unfairness and lack of proportionality of the civil law test,” said Andrew Johnson, IOPC director of strategy and policy. “We believe this position provides consistency across impacted cases and is fair to officers facing potential dismissal for misconduct, which if it occurred now, would not amount to misconduct under the new law.”
Police and Legal Responses
Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes, referring to Blake by his cypher NX121, stated: “We have consistently said since the criminal trial that there is no basis for further action against this officer, and that remains our position. That is why I welcome the recent changes to the law, introducing a presumption of anonymity for firearms officers during court proceedings until conviction, and restoring the criminal test for the use of force in misconduct cases.”
Family and Advocacy Group Concerns
The Kaba family expressed disappointment, arguing that the decision undermines accountability for police actions. They claimed the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has “a closed mind on this specific case,” stating the change in rules appears to shield Blake from professional consequences. Temi Mwale and Kayza Rose of the Justice for Chris Kaba Campaign called the IOPC’s choice “appalling,” emphasizing that altering the legal framework mid-proceeding weakens public trust in police oversight.
The campaigners highlighted that the shift risks eroding confidence in police accountability, suggesting Britain is “moving backwards” on reform. On the night of the shooting, officers had boxed in Kaba’s Audi, which was linked to three prior firearm incidents in the last five months. His identity was unknown at the time, though police later reported his connections to a street gang and two shootings within six days of the event.
The IOPC’s decision could affect dozens of similar non-fatal use-of-force cases, depending on how forces apply the revised criteria. While the agency claims the change will impact only a small number of cases, critics argue it sets a precedent that prioritizes officer protection over thorough investigation.
Key Stakeholders
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) oversees disciplinary actions against police officers, while the Metropolitan Police Service handles operational matters. The case has sparked debate about balancing accountability with procedural fairness in force-related incidents.
