Cleared of Murdering Chris Kaba, Officer Sgt Martyn Blake Set for Promotion

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Metropolitan Police Sergeant Martyn Blake, recently cleared of murdering 24-year-old Chris Kaba, is now expected to be promoted to the rank of inspector. The promotion comes as the Met moves forward after Blake’s criminal trial concluded with his acquittal last month. However, the 40-year-old officer, a father of two, may still face a gross misconduct investigation related to the fatal shooting of Kaba in Streatham, South London, in 2022.

 

The case against Sgt Blake centered around his decision to open fire on Kaba, a known member of the "67 Gang," as he attempted to evade police in an Audi that was reportedly linked to two gangland shootings. Blake testified in the Old Bailey trial that he acted out of fear for his colleagues’ safety, believing that Kaba's attempt to ram his way out posed a serious threat. The jury reached its verdict swiftly, acquitting Sgt Blake of murder after just three hours of deliberation. His acquittal marks a significant step in his career, which had been placed on hold as he awaited the outcome of the trial.

 

Sgt Blake, who had passed his inspector’s exams shortly before the shooting, is expected to move from the firearms unit to another division of the Metropolitan Police Service if the promotion proceeds. Former Chief Superintendent Simon Ovens expressed support for the decision, noting that the promotion was “properly delayed until the outcome of the criminal trial.”

 

With that behind him, Ovens suggested that Blake’s promotion should not be hindered further by the misconduct review, especially given the rigorous court scrutiny the evidence had already undergone. “Considering the evidence has been scrutinised in court, the misconduct review should not hold up his promotion,” Ovens stated, adding that it is unlikely Blake would face dismissal in any subsequent disciplinary hearings. He emphasized that the Met’s support of Blake signifies the organization’s confidence in his actions and capabilities.

 

The Metropolitan Police has responded cautiously to inquiries about Blake’s anticipated promotion, stating, “Any query of this nature relates to personal information about an officer’s potential career intentions and is not something we’d discuss. Sgt Blake is entitled to the same level of privacy.” 

 

Blake had been suspended for more than two years since the incident, which left Kaba, a figure associated with the London gang scene, fatally wounded after Blake fired through the windscreen of the Audi. The controversial case drew considerable attention due to Kaba’s background and the high-stakes nature of the armed standoff. Now, with the criminal case behind him, Sgt Blake is positioned to resume his career, pending the outcome of any potential misconduct investigation. 

 

As the Metropolitan Police grapples with this sensitive case and the decision to promote Blake, it highlights broader issues of accountability, transparency, and trust within the force and its dealings with complex and high-risk incidents.

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-11-12

 

 

 

[Watawattana]

Such a complex case.  Except, of course, for the fact that he was never guilty of murder.