Suella Braverman, the former Home Secretary, has sharply criticised a decision made by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) pertaining to a firearms officer recently cleared of murder. Sergeant Martyn Blake was found not guilty by an Old Bailey jury in October 2023 for the fatal shooting of Chris Kaba, a gangster, during an incident in Streatham, south London, in September 2022. The jury's verdict concluded Blake’s actions were justified, yet the IOPC has determined that he will now face a misconduct inquiry.
The incident arose when Kaba, 24, attempted to escape from a police vehicle stop. His vehicle was reportedly linked to a shooting that had occurred just a day before, as well as another incident occurring the week prior. Kaba's past criminality was not disclosed to the jury, which has led to further scrutiny of the inquiry into Blake’s actions.
Notably, two of Blake's colleagues testified that they were merely "milliseconds" away from using their firearms against Kaba when he tried to breach the police blockade with his Audi Q8. The reaction to Blake being charged with murder was considerable; dozens of Metropolitan Police marksmen halted work in protest, prompting the Army to be placed on standby in response to the unrest within the ranks.
Braverman accused the IOPC of unjustly targeting Blake, stating that the decision reflects "the definition of insanity." She expressed concern that such inquiries may deter officers from fulfilling their roles effectively. "It's no wonder police officers are leaving the force in droves," she remarked in an interview with the Mail on Sunday, further calling on Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to "stop this witch hunt."
The situation has stirred significant debate within law enforcement circles. Sir Peter Fahy, a former chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, stated that the IOPC "really doesn't understand the profound degree of trauma" experienced by Blake after engaging in what he describes as a routine action in the course of his duties. Similarly, Mike Barton, the former chief constable of Durham Constabulary, pointed out the irony of the high scrutiny regarding Blake's split-second decision while others were afforded years to contemplate the incident.
IOPC director Amanda Rowe has acknowledged the considerable public interest surrounding the case, though the future of the inquiry and its impact on police operations remains uncertain as the debate continues.
Source: Noah Wire Services