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Police officer cleared

861 replies

Toomanywars · 21/10/2024 18:39

Martin Blake police officer today cleared by a jury of unlawful killing of Chris Kaba

Should police officers get more support. Perhaps not release name until after trial or inquiry.

OP posts:
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13
ItsTheGAGGGGGGGGG · 22/10/2024 21:55

Restlessinthenorth · 22/10/2024 21:47

I can't find the original poster who said that black on black crime isn't a thing. Do you know how ridiculous you sound? Police violence again black people is "a thing" but black on black crime isn't?

It isn't just crime...it is crime that is targeted against the black community specifically. If you want to draw inference about police victims, draw it about other form of violence too. It prays on community silence and structural oppression. It damages young black men and keeps them locked in a cycle of fear. By denying the problem, you perpetuate it. Until communities, all communities, own their failings,, nothing will change. And Kava's family are a prime example of this. Instead of standing up and saying don't replicate our child's mistakes, they seek to pretend he is some kind of martyr. Which Lord knows, he certainty is not

The phrase ‘Black on Black’ crime is damaging because it promotes the idea that Black people are inherently more violent. I really don’t know how else to explain this.

When there’s gang violence going on in Liverpool or Sheffield and is being carried out by white males, no one refers to it as ‘White on White violence.’ That’s my point. I’m not denying that there’s a gang culture in SW London at all. I’m not going to keep going back and forth with this, feel free to do your own research about the phrase and why it’s damaging

Orphlids · 22/10/2024 21:54

I’ve only skimmed this thread. But I see there are plenty of (predictable) posts from various people who really seem to think they would have dealt with the stop on Kaba better than the attending officers. And lots of people who seem very sure that the officers were not facing any threat, or fearing for their lives. This is despite the fact they have literally no experience in policing, let alone armed policing. What a shame you weren’t there that night, to have tasered Kaba (through his windscreen) or shot him gently through his foot to stop him making off. Unless you are a highly trained firearms officer with lengthy experience, your suggestions of what these officers should have done are frankly embarrassing.

Let me tell you that Martyn Blake is an extremely accomplished officer, one of the absolute elite, whom we have been incredibly fortunate to have had working in our police force. Every armed officer knows that should they find themselves in a situation where they feel they must shoot someone, they do so knowing their own life, and the lives of their families, will become unrecognisable, and probably unrecoverable. They know they will be suspended, subjected to an investigation over several years by the IOPC, face financial ruin, and taken to court in an attempt to have them convicted and imprisoned. Blake’s name was released, despite the wide-ranging criminality of Kaba’s associates being well known. Blake and his family are now in genuine danger of being murdered. Blake knew all these things would happen, and he still took the shot. That is how sure he was that it was necessary. God knows how we have any officers left who are prepared to take on the role.

Serencwtch · 22/10/2024 21:49

ItsTheGAGGGGGGGGG · 22/10/2024 20:25

Again, black on black crime does not exist so your point is irrelevant. It’s standard crime and should be viewed as much. When a white person kills another white person, are you talking about the effect that it has on the community? There is no black on black crime

Violent gang culture very definitely does exist and an overwhelmingly disproportionate number are black males. It's not 'standard' crime - those would be theft, shoplifting, burglary, fraud, traffic offences, public order etc

Going 'colour blind' on tackling violent gang culture let's the whole community down.

Restlessinthenorth · 22/10/2024 21:47

I can't find the original poster who said that black on black crime isn't a thing. Do you know how ridiculous you sound? Police violence again black people is "a thing" but black on black crime isn't?

It isn't just crime...it is crime that is targeted against the black community specifically. If you want to draw inference about police victims, draw it about other form of violence too. It prays on community silence and structural oppression. It damages young black men and keeps them locked in a cycle of fear. By denying the problem, you perpetuate it. Until communities, all communities, own their failings,, nothing will change. And Kava's family are a prime example of this. Instead of standing up and saying don't replicate our child's mistakes, they seek to pretend he is some kind of martyr. Which Lord knows, he certainty is not

Orangeaperitif · 22/10/2024 21:39

ItsTheGAGGGGGGGGG · 22/10/2024 20:25

Again, black on black crime does not exist so your point is irrelevant. It’s standard crime and should be viewed as much. When a white person kills another white person, are you talking about the effect that it has on the community? There is no black on black crime

I guess it depends on what one wants to achieve: when engaging in a theoretical argument about some randomly defined buzzwords to please an online audience, perhaps you can say that my point is irrelevant. If the goal was to save as many lives as possible amongst the black community, my point is highly relevant...

A mafia shooting in Southern Italy (most likely both victim and perpetrator will be white, so a "white on white crime" as you define it) will certainly be reported as mafia crime, not simply "crime". And there are extensive media coverage and (at least occasional) mass demonstrations against the mafia.

Coming back to this case, gang crime (to leave out the colours but still use a more specific term) is a much bigger threat to many black communities than the police, hence a more pragmatic approach should focus on that! Mass protests against gangs, rather than allowing the family of a known gang leader to take centre stage

EsmaCannonball · 22/10/2024 21:37

I've just read about the protection racket his gang ran, targeting primarily recent immigrant women and families, basically threatening to beat people up and vandalise and burgle their houses unless they regularly handed money over. Utter lowlife scum. And the domestic violence order his girlfriend obtained was requested while she was pregnant. I don't know how anyone has had the nerve to spin him as an 'expectant father.'

I really don't understand the people who think the police should have allowed this man to escape or should have allowed themselves to be killed, paralysed or maimed when he rammed his car into them.

Kendodd · 22/10/2024 21:29

I wonder how his ex is feeling?
The pregnant one he beat up. Can't help thinking that both her and her kid are better off now that he is no danger to them.

EsmaCannonball · 22/10/2024 21:17

I'm willing to bet that Chris Kaba brought more danger and misery into the lives of young black men than the average police officer. His ex-girlfriend clearly thought he was a danger to women too.

He drove a lethal weapon at the police because he would rather kill police officers than be arrested for the violent crime he had not long committed and he was driving around with guns in a car because he was obviously on his way to commit more violent crimes. Do people even understand that the police have a duty to prevent gunmen committing more murders? Can you imagine the furore if they had decided against doing the hard stop and Kaba had gone on to murder more people? Kaba caused his own death.

Serencwtch · 22/10/2024 21:17

Choochoo21 · 22/10/2024 19:36

No but it deflates them which is why the police regularly use tyre spikes and traps.

They wouldn’t bother using them if they weren’t often successful.

Theres no reason that couldn’t have been done in this situation.

Oh give over. You've been watching too much telly.

The armed officers were called because the vehicle was linked to an armed incident. Therefore they had to assume , until they searched the vehicle & occupant that there was a firearm in the car & therefore a sky high risk to them & the public.

If Kaba had co-operated with them and they had been able to search him & the vehicle and verified there was no firearm they would not have shot him - he'd have been arrested & likely charged with offences relating to him shooting someone in the night club.

At every point Kaba chose the consequences & not the officers.

whynotwhatknot · 22/10/2024 21:04

another criminal off the street i call that justice

his family should ave kept quiet with some dignity an just mourned him

thhey say they wont be silenced- what next a riot? i dont understand their thinking id be ashhame if he was my family not proud

Gawdzooksing · 22/10/2024 21:02

https://www.itv.com/news/2024-10-22/chris-kaba-was-core-member-of-one-of-londons-most-dangerous-gang

sums up life of Kaba … right down to gunpowder residue on his clothes

Livelovebehappy · 22/10/2024 20:53

username35890 · 21/10/2024 21:06

Those with weak arguments often resort to personal attacks.

He didn't 'speed off' , his car wasn't travelling at speed. He was told to get out of the car, he reversed and hit the car behind him, he moved forward and hit a car to the side and then stopped.

If he was speeding, how come the officer was standing in front of the car?

You still defend him then after todays revelations of Kaba’s background? A thug who’s been involved with the murder of others, and who is classed as a very dangerous individual? Or now will you be bleating about him being the product of a poor deprived background who was failed by society?

Hunglikeapolevaulter · 22/10/2024 20:47

A lot of people that stand for BLM are condemning his actions and are agreeing with the verdict. I should know, I’m seeing the tweets all on my TL

I'm glad to hear that. For some reason the algorithm seems to be pushing mainly the defenders on mine.

Toomanywars · 22/10/2024 20:45

ItsTheGAGGGGGGGGG · 22/10/2024 20:38

A lot of people that stand for BLM are condemning his actions and are agreeing with the verdict. I should know, I’m seeing the tweets all on my TL

That's good.

I mean his actions lead to his death. He made made choices. Not only on thus occasion but with previous gun crime etc.

Painting him as an innocent victim does nobody any good.

OP posts:
ItsTheGAGGGGGGGGG · 22/10/2024 20:42

thebigchangeishere · 22/10/2024 20:30

@ItsTheGAGGGGGGGGG

Really not meaning to sound stupid but what do you mean by black on black crime doesn't exist?

There’s no such thing as black on black crime. That’s a phrased used in moments like these where people will say, ‘why has the news mentioned the percentage of black men that have been killed by the police when they should be focusing on all the black on black crime that’s going on.’

‘Black on black crime’ is just crime. Standard crime. No one says ‘white on white’ or ‘asian on asian’ crime as it’s just viewed as crime, point blank. I could link a few articles that explain this a bit more clearly but that’s essentially it

ItsTheGAGGGGGGGGG · 22/10/2024 20:38

Hunglikeapolevaulter · 22/10/2024 20:30

And that’s literally the point of BLM but don’t let your ignorance get in the way of understanding the movement

I wish the movement wouldn't centre criminals, they might have more credibility then.

A lot of people that stand for BLM are condemning his actions and are agreeing with the verdict. I should know, I’m seeing the tweets all on my TL

Cityandmakeup · 22/10/2024 20:35

He was hardly a ‘nice person’ as the media portrayed. Seems like he was a gun wielding gang member

Toomanywars · 22/10/2024 20:33

Oblomov24 · 22/10/2024 12:19

Fortunately prh has put it better on another thread.

Not once have I ever claimed he was a good man, I am just questioning the fact he was shot dead :

Loveinacandle · Today 12:11

prh47bridge · Today 12:07
"I don't see anyone defending him. I do see people questioning whether the police should have shot him dead, which is very different.
As per one of my earlier posts, since 1990 nearly 1900 people have died either in police custody or as a result of contact with the police. In that time only one police officer has been convicted of murder or manslaughter in relation to these deaths. Some of the victims have been awful people. Others, such as Jean Charles de Menezes, had not done anything wrong. If we give the police a free pass on killing people because the victim was a violent criminal, more innocent people will be killed by the police.
I am not saying the police should never kill anyone. There are circumstances where it is the right thing to do. And, when forced to make a split-second decision, armed police may kill someone when, with more time to consider, it looks like the wrong decision. In those circumstances I support the police.
It is about getting the right balance. Holding police officers to account when they overstep the mark, but accepting they have a difficult job to do and making sure we don't undermine their ability to do it."

Show quote history

Exactly this. If a Police office shoots you dead because they’re scared, is that okay? A criminal being chased by the police is hardly news but at what point does the police have the right to kill you. The verdict is unsurprising but I don’t think suggesting that he was a bad guy and therefore deserved it is the ‘gotcha’ that people seem to think it is

It's not a gotcha. Strange expression.

What his history shows is what a dangerous man he is.

The poor police officer is at risk and £10,'000 offered to share his whereabouts. Sadly, he and family are at risk. It's the correct verdict and the pains people go to to ensure a dangerous man is painted as a fluffy great citizen us a bit sad really.

OP posts:
thebigchangeishere · 22/10/2024 20:30

@ItsTheGAGGGGGGGGG

Really not meaning to sound stupid but what do you mean by black on black crime doesn't exist?

Hunglikeapolevaulter · 22/10/2024 20:30

And that’s literally the point of BLM but don’t let your ignorance get in the way of understanding the movement

I wish the movement wouldn't centre criminals, they might have more credibility then.

suburburban · 22/10/2024 20:26

I know that and I'm not ignorant Confused

ItsTheGAGGGGGGGGG · 22/10/2024 20:25

suburburban · 22/10/2024 20:23

Everyone's lives matter

And that’s literally the point of BLM but don’t let your ignorance get in the way of understanding the movement

ItsTheGAGGGGGGGGG · 22/10/2024 20:25

Orangeaperitif · 22/10/2024 19:58

One thing that perplexes me about this whole story:
The person Kaba killed in the nightclub was black. Of all the other people him and his gang intimidated, blackmailed, hassled, etc., I would venture a high percentage was black as well.
Undoubtedly, Kaba was a much bigger threat to the black community than Blake. This is now known to all, but was most likely know to the immediate community since the day it happened
Everybody that has the wellbeing of the black community at heart, should think and talk about that!

Again, black on black crime does not exist so your point is irrelevant. It’s standard crime and should be viewed as much. When a white person kills another white person, are you talking about the effect that it has on the community? There is no black on black crime

suburburban · 22/10/2024 20:23

Everyone's lives matter

Hunglikeapolevaulter · 22/10/2024 20:21

It's pretty apparent on X that BLM have latched onto this.

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