Overview

• Sgt Martyn Blake will face a gross misconduct hearing after the IOPC ruled there is sufficient evidence to proceed under the balance-of-probabilities standard.
• Blake was acquitted of murder in October 2024 after a jury deliberated for just 16 minutes, determining his use of force was reasonable.
• The IOPC emphasized the low evidentiary threshold for disciplinary cases, contrasting with the criminal standard of 'beyond reasonable doubt.'
• If found guilty of gross misconduct, Blake could face dismissal from the Metropolitan Police.
• Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is advancing reforms to grant anonymity to firearms officers accused of serious crimes until conviction.