Chris Kaba shooting: Police Federation ‘bitterly disappointed’ after judge rules officer charged with murder will be named

The Police Federation has said it is “seriously concerned and bitterly disappointed” after a judge ruled a Metropolitan Police firearms officer charged with murder will be publicly named.

The officer, who had previously been known only as NX121, is facing trial at the Old Bailey over the shooting of 24-year-old Chris Kaba in Streatham Hill, south London, on 6 September 2022.

In a ruling at the Old Bailey, judge Mark Lucraft said the police officer will be named publicly on 30 January.

The judge said the officer’s date of birth will be made public next year, but their home address or any image of them cannot be published.

The Crown Prosecution Service’s decision to bring a murder charge sparked concern among some police officers as more than 100 Met officers refused to carry their weapons.

The crisis has since been resolved as they returned to normal duties, but armed officers around the country said before today’s ruling they might down their guns if the officer was publicly named.

Steve Hartshorn, chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), said in a statement after the judge’s ruling: “PFEW is seriously concerned and bitterly disappointed about the potential ramifications of publishing the officer’s name and date of birth in January 2024.

“We know that this concern is shared by many officers of all ranks and roles across the country, but more so in the world of armed policing as they understand the threat and risk taken in the protection of the public more so than others.

“Officers are not looking to be above the law, but they must have confidence that they have the protection needed to do the difficult and dangerous job society expects of them.”

Meanwhile, Harry Tangye, a former armed response officer for Devon and Cornwall Police, told Sky News: “I think [the judge’s ruling) is going to have a huge impact on recruitment.

“Recruitment for armed response was probably bad enough, but now even if a potential officer was keen to joined the armed response, their families are going to say ‘not on your nelly, you do not do that’.

“For the same money police officers can do frontline policing, which is just as difficult but doesn’t hold the risks.”

In his ruling, the judge said he had viewed “raw underlying intelligence material” before coming to the conclusion there was not a “real and immediate risk” to the life of the defendant or to their family.

Mr Kaba, a father-to-be, died from a single gunshot wound to the head after the Audi he was driving was blocked in by a police vehicle.

In response to the announcement, Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said the decision will be “hugely concerning” for officers, adding the Metropolitan Police had “supported the anonymity hearing by providing evidence and factual information”.

He said: “I recognise that for officers this decision will be hugely concerning, and that the impact of this and recent cases is felt right across armed policing and beyond.

“We take seriously the open justice principle, however it was important to make the court aware of the effect that loss of anonymity would have in this case.

“We acknowledge the judgment by the court and note the detailed and careful consideration that has taken place.”

The officer was charged with murder on 20 September this year and appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court the following day.

Usually, defendants are named publicly at the point they are charged with a criminal offence, but District Judge Nina Tempia put an order in place banning publication of anything that would identify the officer, ahead of further legal hearings at the Old Bailey.

A plea and trial preparation hearing is due to take place on 1 December, with a trial potentially starting on 9 September next year.