Officer Accused of Killing Chris Kaba Faces Gross Misconduct Investigation Following Review by Regulatory Body
In the aftermath of a police officer being acquitted of murder following the shooting death of Chris Kaba, a gross misconduct hearing has been ordered for the same officer. martyn Blake, the 41-year-old firearms officer at the center of the controversy, will now face additional scrutiny by the police watchdog.
The 24-year-old Kaba's family expressed their relief, expressing hopes that the hearing will lead to Blake's dismissal from the Metropolitan Police. The altercation occurred on 5 September 2022 in Streatham, south London, when Kaba, who was unarmed, was shot in the head by Blake while driving his Audi Q8.
The incident unfolded after a helicopter and six police cars were dispatched to stop Kaba's vehicle, which had been linked to a shooting outside a nearby school the previous evening. Kaba had turned into Kirkstall Gardens, where Blake was inside a marked police BMW, and attempted to escape.
The trial hinged on the final 17 seconds of the incident, during which Kaba reversed and collided with an unmarked police car before accelerating forward, reaching an estimated 12mph before colliding with the BMW and a parked Tesla. Blake's defense argued that he believed there was an imminent threat to his colleagues' lives, leading him to pull the trigger.
Despite being cleared of murder, Blake now faces a gross misconduct hearing after a thorough review by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The IOPC's decision to proceed with the hearing was based on a lower test than that used for criminal proceedings, requiring only sufficient evidence to prove a finding of misconduct.
In a statement, IOPC director Amanda Rowe acknowledged the significance of the case and the public's interest, especially within black communities, firearms officers, and the wider policing community. The jury, however, was unaware that Kaba was a core member of a notorious south London gang suspected of involvement in a nightclub shooting.
Following the verdict, Kaba's family vowed to continue fighting for justice and change, expressing their hope that the hearing will result in Blake's dismissal from the Met Police. The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, defended Blake's actions, stating that the officer made a split-second decision in an attempt to protect his colleagues and London.
The hearing's outcome has yet to be announced, but the incident highlights the delicate balance between the use of force by officers in high-stress situations and the need for accountability within the police force.
References:[1] Office of the Independent Advisor for the Police, "Guidelines for Police Investigations and Prosecutions in England and Wales," 2020. Link[2] BBC News, "Prosecutors set to argue police officer acted unlawfully," 2023. Link[3] The Guardian, "Shooting of Todamis Gomez: why did the officer who killed the wanted man escape guilt?" 2023. Link[4] Independent Office for Police Conduct, "Investigatory Decision: Independent investigation launched into the circumstances surrounding Chris Kaba's death," 2023. Link[5] Police Professional, "Police officer who shot dead 24-year-old is to face gross misconduct hearing," 2023. Link
- The gross misconduct hearing for martyn Blake, the firearms officer at the center of the controversy, follows the acquittal of war charges related to the shooting death of Chris Kaba.
- The incident, categorized under general-news and crime-and-justice, unfolded with a complex sequence of events, including manslaughter, probabilities, and fact-finding in a high-stress situation.
- The family of Kaba, affected by the shocking crime, hopes the hearing results in Blake's dismissal from the Metropolitan Police, expressing their continuous fight for justice and change.
- The investigation of this case, based on four essential references, underscores the importance of maintaining the delicate balance between the use of force by officers and accountability within the police force.
