Met Officer Cleared of Misconduct in Chris Kaba Shooting, Commissioner Welcomes Decision

A Metropolitan Police officer who shot and killed Chris Kaba in Streatham Hill in September 2022 will not face misconduct proceedings, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has ruled. The decision follows a change in the law and the officer’s acquittal on murder charges at the Old Bailey in 2022.

The officer, identified only as NX121, fired a single shot during a police operation targeting a vehicle linked to a firearms incident. Kaba, 24, was pronounced dead at the scene on Kirkstall Gardens. The IOPC initially referred the case for potential misconduct hearings but later reconsidered after legal reforms.

Commissioner Calls for Accountability Reform

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said the IOPC’s decision brings an end to nearly four years of uncertainty for the officer and his family. In a statement, Rowley acknowledged the ongoing grief of Kaba’s family while defending the officer’s actions.

Rowley criticised the current police accountability system as unbalanced, arguing it subjects officers to excessive scrutiny. He said armed officers respond to over 4,000 incidents annually but fire shots in only one or two cases, calling them the most cautious in the world in their use of lethal force.

The Commissioner warned that prolonged investigations and multiple legal processes deter officers from taking decisive action. He said officers face criminal, misconduct, civil, and inquest proceedings, which can span years, while criminals are held to account only once by the courts.

What Happens Next

The IOPC’s decision closes the misconduct investigation into NX121. The Met has not disclosed whether the officer will return to firearms duties. Rowley said the Home Office’s review of the police accountability system, announced earlier this year, must deliver faster and fairer outcomes for officers and the public.

Kaba’s family has not publicly commented on the IOPC’s decision. The case remains a focal point for debates over police use of force and accountability in London.