A police officer involved in the shooting of Chris Kaba will not face disciplinary action, as confirmed by the UK’s police oversight body. The officer, Martyn Blake, a Metropolitan Police firearms specialist, was acquitted of the killing of the unarmed Black man after a trial at the Old Bailey in 2024. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) stated that they would not pursue disciplinary proceedings against Blake due to recent changes in government regulations regarding police use of force.
Amanda Rowe, the IOPC’s director of engagement, announced that the decision to halt disciplinary actions had been communicated to Kaba’s family. She expressed sympathy for the family and emphasized the importance of avoiding unnecessary delays in the case. Following consultations with the Kaba family and Sergeant Blake, the IOPC decided to withdraw the disciplinary proceedings.
With disciplinary measures off the table, the coroner will now determine whether an inquest should be held to investigate Mr. Kaba’s death. The incident occurred when police confronted Kaba, who was driving a car linked to a previous shooting in Brixton. Kaba attempted to evade the police by driving backwards and then forwards, leading to the fatal shooting by Officer Blake.
The decision to not pursue disciplinary action was welcomed by the Metropolitan Police Federation chairwoman, Paula Dodds, who stressed the importance of supporting officers in making lawful decisions based on their training. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley also supported the decision, acknowledging the impact on all parties involved and calling for a reevaluation of the current police accountability system.
After Martyn Blake’s acquittal, then-Home Secretary Yvette Cooper pledged to revise laws governing police use of force, resulting in a higher threshold for misconduct proceedings by the IOPC.