By James Simons-
The Metropolitan police fire arms man charged with murdering Chris Kaba, (pictured)has today been named as 40 year old Martyn Blake.
Blake entered his formal plea of not guilty during a pre-trial hearing at the Old Bailey in London.
The officer was given bail ahead of a trial that is set to begin in October.
Judge Mark Lucraft lifted the anonymity order after media organisations challenged the legal application to protect his identity, on the basis that confidence in the criminal justice system requires cases to be held, wherever possible, in public.
The lifting of the anonymity order for Metropolitan Police firearms officer Martyn Blake, who is charged with the murder of Chris Kaba, marks a significant development in the case.
Blake, 40, appeared in court to plead not guilty to the charge after the order was lifted by Judge Mark Lucraft KC. While his name and date of birth can now be reported, certain details such as his home address or any images of him remain protected.
The incident occurred on September 6, 2022, in Streatham Hill, south London, when Blake allegedly shot 24-year-old Chris Kaba through the windscreen of a car.
According to the College of Policing UK, Authorised firearms officers (AFOs)INn exercising the duties of the office of constable have a personal accountability and responsibility for the protection of life and carrying out duties associated with that office.
Such an officer must assess the immediacy and proximity of the threat and make an operational decision on whether it is absolutely necessary to discharge a firearm.
They must have [good]reason to suppose(believe) they have to protect themselves or others from a person in possession of, or has immediate access to, a firearm or other potentially lethal weapon, o
Kaba was driving an Audi that was not registered to him and had collided with a marked police car before the shooting. No weapon was found in his possession following the killing.
The decision to reveal Blake’s identity has drawn mixed reactions. The Metropolitan Police Federation expressed shock and concern over the move, emphasizing the importance of protecting officers engaged in dangerous and challenging roles like firearms policing.
Secretary Rick Prior highlighted the need for fairness in scrutinizing officers’ actions and expressed ongoing support for Blake and his family during this difficult time.
The Metropolitan Police Federation said “the colleagues we represent are hugely shocked, saddened and concerned over the decision to name the firearms officer involved in this incident”.
SO Secretary Rick Prior said: “We still await the results of the Home Office’s ‘accountability review’ into operational policing but it goes without saying that our police officers must have full confidence that they have the protection needed to do this difficult and dangerous job society expects of them.
“Being a firearms officer in London is one of the world’s toughest jobs. Officers, who volunteer for the role, know the responsibility and accountability that comes with it. It is a job like no other and they need fairness when it comes to scrutiny.
“As a Federation, we can reassure our members that we continue to support the officer and his family at this difficult time; and will work to mitigate any risks this decision from the courts might bring.
“We also continue to provide support to those brave colleagues who willingly undertake this challenging firearms role every day to keep Londoners safe.”
The case is set for trial on October 2, and the lifting of the anonymity order adds a new dimension to the proceedings.
It highlights the complexities surrounding accountability in law enforcement and the balancing act between transparency and safeguarding those involved in high-stakes policing operations.