Met Police officer cleared of murdering Chris Kaba is set to be promoted to the rank of inspector
The armed police officer cleared of murdering Chris Kaba is set to be promoted to the rank of inspector.
Sgt Martyn Blake had passed his inspector’s exams shortly before shooting Kaba, 24, in Streatham, south London, in 2022.
The 40-year-old officer was cleared last month of murder but may still face a gross misconduct investigation in connection to the shooting.
It is understood if the promotion goes ahead the married father of two will move from the firearms unit to another part of the Metropolitan Police Service.
The Met’s former Chief Supt Simon Ovens told The Sun newspaper: “This was quite properly delayed until the outcome of the criminal trial. Now that has passed it is absolutely proper he should be promoted.
“Considering the evidence has been scrutinised in court, the misconduct review should not hold up his promotion.
“Although there is a different level of proof for disciplinary hearings, is it likely he would be dismissed? The answer is no.
“This shows the Met’s confidence in the officer and reinforces the support the commissioner has in him.”
Sgt Blake was suspended for more than two years after shooting Kaba, a member of the notorious “67 Gang”, through the windscreen of the Audi car he was driving. That vehicle had been linked to two gangland shootings. Kaba had tried to ram his way free to escape armed officers.
The officer told the Old Bailey in London that he opened fire because he feared for the lives of his colleagues.
The jury took just three hours to clear him of murder paving the way for the officer to now return to work.
Asked about reports regarding the promotion, the Met said: “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.”