The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has issued a response following the BBC Panorama documentary The Chris Kaba Shooting, which aired recent criticism of the agency’s handling of the case. In a statement released on November 5, the IOPC clarified its stance on the investigation and addressed remarks made by former Regional Director Sal Naseem, who participated in the documentary.
“We are disappointed that the IOPC was not asked to participate in the BBC Panorama documentary, and the views expressed by former Regional Director Sal Naseem do not represent the official views of the organisation,” the IOPC spokesperson stated. The agency emphasized that Naseem, who left the IOPC prior to the investigation’s completion, was not involved in the decision to launch a criminal investigation or refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Responding to speculation about external influence on the case, the IOPC said, “It is wrong to suggest that our decisions in this case were influenced by any external pressures—they were based solely on the available evidence and the legal thresholds we are required to apply.”
The IOPC explained that its role was not to judge the justification of Sgt. Martyn Blake’s actions but to “investigate, impartially, all the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the decision to use lethal force.” The case was subject to a comprehensive investigation, during which significant evidence was carefully reviewed. Ultimately, Sgt. Blake was acquitted by a jury, a decision the IOPC respects.
The IOPC also revealed that it is reassessing its previous decision to pursue a gross misconduct hearing for Sgt. Blake, considering evidence from the court trial and further representations from the Metropolitan Police Service.
The documentary and the response have reignited the debate surrounding police accountability and the pressures faced by oversight bodies in high-profile cases.
