Overview

• Sgt Martyn Blake, who fatally shot Chris Kaba in 2022 and was acquitted of murder in 2024, has been directed to attend a gross misconduct hearing.
• The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) determined there is a case to answer under the civil 'balance of probabilities' standard.
• The hearing could result in Blake's dismissal from the Metropolitan Police despite his unanimous acquittal by a jury at the Old Bailey.
• The decision has reignited tensions within the Met, with police representatives and some politicians criticizing the move as unjust and demoralizing for firearms officers.
• Kaba's family welcomed the IOPC's decision, calling for Blake's removal, while broader debates over legal standards and accountability for armed officers continue.