The British Army was placed on standby to step in for armed police officers, following fears of a walkout in protest over the court case of one officer.
The move came after the Metropolitan Police’s MO19 Specialist Firearms Command reportedly threatened to withdraw their services if firearms officer Martyn Blake was convicted of murdering Chris Kaba.
Troops from the Royal Regiment of Scotland and military drivers from the Royal Logistic Corps were reportedly prepared to patrol the streets of London in Land Rovers and white vans, vehicles they are not trained to operate in policing scenarios, should the situation escalate.
The Court Case That Sparked a Crisis
In September 2022, Martyn Blake was involved in a police vehicle stop in Streatham, south London, which tragically led to the fatal shooting of Chris Kaba, an unarmed man, who was shot in the head. The case attracted significant public attention, and after a lengthy trial, Blake was cleared of murder.
However, the case ignited tensions within the force, with armed officers threatening action if Blake was convicted. The Home Office, at the request of the Metropolitan Police, activated an emergency contingency plan, codenamed Operation Temperer.
This plan would have seen soldiers deployed to provide armed support in London if the armed officers followed through on their threat.
Public and Police Reactions
While the armed forces were on standby, many within the police force had already expressed their dissatisfaction. In the lead-up to the verdict, it was reported that as many as 300 armed officers handed in their firearms in protest after Blake was charged. Sources confirmed that if Blake had been found guilty, many of them would have followed suit, surrendering their ‘blue tickets,’ or firearms licences.
The not guilty verdict was met with mixed reactions. Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley spoke out, stating: “No police officer is above the law, but we have been clear the system holding police to account is broken.”
However, for the family of Chris Kaba, the result was devastating. His relatives described the verdict as “painful proof that our lives are not valued by the system.”
The Path Forward
Following the trial, Martyn Blake, who had been suspended during the investigation, was immediately reinstated to his duties.
This unsettling episode underscores the complex relationship between law enforcement, public accountability, and the military. As tensions remain high, the country’s security forces continue to balance their commitment to public safety with the ongoing challenges of internal discontent.
