The gun officer cleared of murdering gangster Chris Kaba is being promoted.

Martin Blake, 40He will be an inspector.

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His promotion comes as the police watchdog considers whether to bring a gross misconduct case against the married father of two.

Sergeant Blake He had passed his inspector exam board before shooting Kaba, 24, in Streatham, south London, in September 2022.

It appears that he will be moving from the firearms unit to another division. methsuch as the promotion of civil servants to inspectors.

Former Met Chief Simon Ovens said: “This has been quite appropriately adjourned pending the outcome of the criminal case.

“It’s over now, it’s absolutely right for him to be promoted.

“Given that the evidence was examined in court, the misconduct review should not prevent his promotion.

“Even if there are different levels of evidence in disciplinary investigations, is there a possibility that he will be dismissed?

“The answer is no.” Mr Ovens added:

“This demonstrates the Met’s confidence in the officer and reinforces the commissioner’s support for him.”

Sergeant Blake He was suspended for more than two years after killing Kaba by shooting him through the windshield of the gangster’s Audi.

Kaaba, Linked to two shootings in six daysHe was trying to escape the police stop.

The police officer told jurors he opened fire because he feared for his colleagues’ lives.

The Old Bailey jury took just three hours to reach its verdict. clear him of murder.

The court also heard a £10,000 reward was offered to Sergeant Blake by Kaba’s accomplices.

The Met said of the promotion: “Any inquiries of this nature relate to personal information about an officer’s potential career intentions and are not something we would discuss.

“Sergeant Blake is entitled to the same level of privacy.”

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