The police marksman who shot Chris Kaba in Streatham, south London, in September 2022 may not face misconduct proceedings. This follows changes in government regulations regarding the assessment of officers' use of force, announced on July 8, 2026. Sgt Martyn Blake shot Kaba, 24, after he attempted to evade police cars.
Background of the Chris Kaba Shooting
On the night of Kaba's death, police had been pursuing his vehicle, which was linked to multiple firearms incidents. Officers were unaware of Kaba's identity at the time and had boxed in the Audi he was driving. The vehicle was reported to have connections to a street gang and two shootings in the days leading up to the incident.
Blake was acquitted of murder in 2024, but a separate disciplinary hearing was paused pending the outcome of legal changes. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has now indicated that the case against Blake should not proceed.
Changes in Legal Standards for Misconduct
The recent changes elevate the legal test for misconduct in the use-of-force cases to align with criminal law standards. This means that conduct not amounting to a crime should not be classified as misconduct. Following Blake's acquittal, former home secretary Yvette Cooper stated her intention to amend the legal test for officers involved in such cases.
IOPC director of strategy and policy Andrew Johnson remarked, "We carefully considered the law change and its stated intent to address the perceived unfairness and lack of proportionality of the civil law test." He added that the new position offers consistency across affected cases.
Reactions from the Kaba Family and Advocacy Groups
The family of Chris Kaba expressed their disappointment, stating that the decision sends a damaging message to bereaved families involved in police use-of-force cases. They argue that there are exceptional circumstances warranting the continuation of proceedings against Blake.
Activists from the Justice for Chris Kaba Campaign, including Temi Mwale and Kayza Rose, voiced their concerns, calling the IOPC's decision "appalling". They believe that the rules should have remained unchanged for ongoing cases, claiming that the new regulations undermine public confidence in police accountability.
- Chris Kaba was shot in September 2022.
- Sgt Martyn Blake was cleared of murder in 2024.
- The IOPC has paused proceedings pending legal changes.
- New laws raise the misconduct standard to criminal law levels.
As this situation develops, the IOPC plans to consult with the Kaba family regarding their stance and the possibility of pursuing the case further.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by BBC News. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
