The Independent Office for Police Conduct has announced it will temporarily halt misconduct proceedings against the firearms officer who fatally shot Chris Kaba, pending significant legal reforms expected this spring.
Awaiting Legal Threshold Changes
The police watchdog confirmed it is pausing its investigation into Sergeant Martyn Blake until amendments to the use of force standard and related Home Office guidance come into effect. The IOPC stated it needs to understand the full implications of these impending changes before determining whether it remains fair and reasonable to pursue gross misconduct proceedings against the officer.
Tragic Incident in South London
Sergeant Blake shot 24-year-old Chris Kaba in the head during a confrontation in Streatham, south London, in September 2022. The incident occurred when Mr Kaba drove towards officers while attempting to break through a police roadblock. Following a trial at the Old Bailey in October 2024, Sergeant Blake was acquitted of murder charges, after which the Government committed to reviewing legal thresholds for both criminal charges and misconduct proceedings involving police use of force.
Family Expresses Devastation
Mr Kaba's family has reacted with profound distress to the decision to pause proceedings. They revealed they only learned on the day of the announcement that the Metropolitan Police had urged the IOPC to drop the case back in November. The family stated they were not consulted beforehand and described the lack of consideration as adding to their trauma and sense of injustice.
'Martyn Blake fatally shot Chris when he was unarmed and without knowing who he was,' the family said in a statement. 'Until today, Martyn Blake was quite correctly facing imminent disciplinary proceedings for that use of force. We are devastated that the Independent Office for Police Conduct has decided under this kind of police pressure to put on hold the preparations for Martyn Blake's gross misconduct proceedings.'
Background of the Case
On the night of his death, officers began following the Audi Q8 Mr Kaba was driving because it had been identified as a getaway vehicle used in a shooting in Brixton the previous night. At the time, police did not know the driver's identity. It later emerged that Mr Kaba was a core member of a London street gang and had been accused of involvement in two shootings during the week before his death.
Police Response and Reactions
Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman emphasized that any pause in proceedings should be 'as short as possible'. He noted that Sergeant Blake's life has been effectively on hold for more than three years, and further delays prolong the stress and uncertainty for him and his family. However, he acknowledged that the delay would also be deeply felt by Mr Kaba's grieving family.
The case previously sparked significant controversy within the police force. Dozens of Metropolitan Police armed officers temporarily withdrew their services in protest when Sergeant Blake was initially charged with murder, leading to military personnel being placed on standby to fill potential operational gaps.
Support from Police Representatives
Matt Cane, general secretary of the Metropolitan Police Federation, welcomed the IOPC's decision, stating it would be supported by police officers across London. 'Police officers should not face losing their liberty or livelihoods for doing the job that society expects of them,' he said, expressing satisfaction with Government acknowledgment of this principle.
Amanda Rowe, IOPC director, explained the watchdog's position: 'We recognise the impact of this case on everyone affected and it isn't our intention to delay matters any more than necessary, however it's important that our decision takes account of impending changes to the use of force standard.'
The IOPC's decision highlights ongoing tensions between police accountability, legal standards for use of force, and the profound human impact on all parties involved in such tragic incidents.
