Met Police gun cop cleared of murdering gangster Chris Kaba will be promoted when he returns to work
THE armed officer cleared of murdering gangster Chris Kaba is being promoted.
Martyn Blake, 40, will become an inspector.
His promotion comes as the police watchdog considers whether to pursue a gross misconduct case against the married dad of two.
Sgt Blake had passed his inspector’s exam board before shooting Kaba, 24, in Streatham, South London, in September 2022.
It is understood he will move from the firearms unit to another part of the Met, as is routine when officers are promoted to inspector.
Ex-Met Chief Supt Simon Ovens said: “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.” Mr Ovens added:
“This shows the Met’s confidence in the officer and reinforces the support the commissioner has in him.”
Sgt Blake was suspended for over two years after shooting Kaba in the head through the windscreen of the gangster’s Audi.
Kaba, linked to two shootings in six days, was trying to ram his way free from a police stop.
The officer told jurors he opened fire because he feared for the lives of his colleagues.
An Old Bailey jury took just three hours to clear him of murder.
The court also heard how a £10,000 reward was issued against Sgt Blake by Kaba’s criminal associates.
The Met said of the promotion: “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.”