Former IOPC Investigator Defends Decision to Charge Officer in Kaba Shooting Despite Acquittal, Admits Public Disorder Fears Played Role

Sal Naseem, the former lead investigator for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in the Chris Kaba shooting case, has spoken out for the first time since the trial concluded. In an exclusive interview with the BBC’s Panorama, Naseem, now affiliated with The Police Foundation, a policing think tank, defended his decision to charge Metropolitan Police Sgt Martyn Blake with murder despite the jury’s swift acquittal and subsequent criticism.
Criticism of the IOPC’s approach was not limited to the courtroom. Former Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu publicly questioned the haste with which the case was classified as a homicide. “To announce a potential murder investigation so early in the process—it was remarkable and unusual,” Basu remarked. His comments echo the concerns of many in the policing community who believe the investigation was impacted by outside influence rather than being solely evidence-based.

The acquittal of Sgt Blake has left lingering questions about the balance between independent oversight and the pressures exerted by public and political discourse. For many, the case exemplifies the challenges faced by armed officers and the accountability processes that scrutinize split-second, life-or-death decisions.

Despite the court’s ruling, the case has intensified discussions about the IOPC’s protocols and how best to maintain public trust while ensuring that investigations remain impartial and grounded in factual evidence.