Overview

• Sgt Martyn Blake, who fatally shot Chris Kaba in 2022, has been ordered to face a gross misconduct hearing by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
• The IOPC determined that there is sufficient evidence under the civil 'balance of probabilities' standard for a disciplinary panel to assess whether Blake breached professional standards.
• Blake was acquitted of murder in October 2024 after a jury accepted his defense that he acted to protect colleagues during a high-risk police operation.
• The disciplinary process could result in Blake's dismissal, with a hearing date yet to be set, and a chief officer from an external force will chair the panel.
• The case has reignited debates on accountability for police use of force, officer morale, and proposed anonymity protections for firearms officers until conviction.