IOPC Says Martyn Blake Misconduct Case Should End After 2026 Use-of-Force Law Change
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 8
IOPC Says Martyn Blake Misconduct Case Should End After 2026 Use-of-Force Law Change
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 8
Summary
The IOPC said Sgt Martyn Blake should no longer face misconduct proceedings over the 2022 shooting of 24-year-old Chris Kaba, reversing course after a government rule change.
The new law raises the misconduct test in police use-of-force cases to the criminal standard, meaning conduct that is not criminal should not be treated as misconduct either.
Blake was cleared of murder in 2024, and the watchdog had paused the disciplinary case while awaiting the legal changes; it will now consult Kaba's family, who say exceptional circumstances justify continuing.
The Metropolitan Police welcomed the shift, while the IOPC said the change could affect dozens of other non-fatal use-of-force cases, though it expects the total number to remain relatively small.