'I'm an ex firearms cop - Chris Kaba case shows the Met Police are at crisis point'

A former firearms officer has warned that the police are at "crisis point" after the officer who shot and killed Chris Kaba was found not guilty of his murder.

Firearms officer , October 21, some two years after Mr Kaba was shot whilst attempting to evade police and repeatedly ramming vehicles blocking him in.

The Met Police and allegations of racism in the wake of Mr Kaba's death with .

Following the verdict, it has now been revealed that Mr Kaba was a "core member" of one of London's most dangerous gangs and was wanted in connection with a nightclub shooting just six days before.

, who served as an Operational Firearms Commander, the same role performed by Martyn Blake, believes that the failure of police bosses to protect armed officers in the wake of incidents will lead to less people volunteering to serve in the role.

One officer who wished to remain anonymous told the Express he believes the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was "too afraid" to call the incident a "lawful killing".

Mr Tangye is in full agreement: "I think the CPS have just shoved it up, they didn't want to make a decision, so they let a jury do it because a lot of fuss was being made.

"But that fuss is being made by a tiny minority of people and a bereaved family who with all due respect, I understand they are grieving, but the rest of society needs to be protected from their from their son.

"There is too much moral cowardice in leadership at the moment."

The 55-year-old from Cornwall told Express.co.uk: "A lot of police bosses, mayors, politicians and CPS decision makers are hiding behind this argument of prosecution being 'in the public interest'.

"They're bowing to pressure by angry people who don't know any of the facts and just conclude that the police must be guilty.

"We need to start ignoring these people."

Mr Tangye, who served in the police force for 30 years, believes that too much weight was placed on placating the anger of "a small minority" who were not privy to the facts of the case.

The CPS denied the accusation in a statement in the verdict's aftermath.

Frank Ferguson, Head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: "This has been a complex and sensitive case and the decision to prosecute was made after an in-depth consideration of all the available evidence.

"We recognise that firearms officers operate under enormous pressure, but it is our responsibility to put cases before a jury that meet our test for prosecution, and we are satisfied that test was met in this case.

"It is therefore right that the case was put before the jury for them to scrutinise and to decide. They have carefully considered each piece of evidence, including video and Martyn Blake's own account. They have made up their minds in the proper way and we thank them for doing so."

Critics of the decision to acquit PC Blake have used the fact that no weapon was found in Mr Kaba's car to argue that he posed no threat to officers, a claim which has been labelled as "laughable."

On the absence of a firearm, Mr Tangye said: "A car is a weapon. If you have a car, you've just tried to smash through a barrier and somebody is standing in front unable to move, are they not in mortal danger?

"Should the police give people the benefit of the doubt? This is not tv or a film, in this case if the car hits you it will drive over you and kill you."

Body worn footage of the incident shows Mr Kaba evading police. When cornered he repeatedly reverses and drives forward attempting to escape despite the calls of armed officers to get out of the car.

PC Blake was stood directly in front of the car when he fired one shot at Mr Kaba. In his defence, he claimed that he believed that the car posed a threat to life.

In a statement following the verdict, said: "The jury system is the cornerstone of British justice and today, after two weeks of evidence, 12 men and women have cleared Sgt Martyn Blake of murder.

"Over the past two years Sgt Blake has paid a huge personal and professional sacrifice. This has been an incredibly difficult time for him and his family and he has acted with professionalism and dignity throughout.

"Today's verdict is significant. No firearms officer sets out on duty intent on ending a life. Their sole purpose is the complete opposite - the protection and preservation of life.

"I remain humbled and deeply proud of officers who continue to protect London despite all the risks they face. They continue to have my full and my unwavering support."

Mr Tangye also aimed fire at after his statement in the wake of the verdict made no reference to Mr Blakes' "two years of hell".

In a statement released on X, formerly Twitter, the said he "respected" the jury's decision and understood the "anger, pain and fear" Mr Kaba's death caused.

Mr Tangye said he has been left less than impressed with the "cowardly" response.

He said: "His tweet last night didn't mention the officer involved. He could not give a toss about the officer who has gone through two years of hell.

"How can you act like that unless you have a fundamental dislike, or hatred, for the department you are supposed to be in charge of."

Latest police figures show that last year, there were 17,589 firearms operations. Of these incidents, only two resulted in a firearm being intentionally discharged.

CPS and the Mayor of London have been approached for comment.