BBC's Panorama Slammed for 'Anti-Police' Bias in Kaba Shooting Report
Why Are Police So Angry with the BBC's Panorama?
The BBC’s latest Panorama episode, investigating the police shooting of Chris Kaba, has sparked intense criticism from the Metropolitan Police Federation and figures across the policing community. Following the airing of the episode, which focuses heavily on Kaba’s death and the officer involved, the Federation released a strongly worded statement, denouncing the BBC for its apparent bias and its failure to provide a full account of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Matt Cane, General Secretary of the Metropolitan Police Federation, minced no words in his response to Panorama, saying, “Police officers will be stunned - but perhaps not surprised - about the utter lack of balance in the BBC Panorama documentary aired last night.” The Federation’s statement argues that the documentary framed the situation in a way that risked distorting the reality officers face on the job, particularly in high-stakes scenarios where lethal force may be required.
A Narrative of Bias? The Federation’s Position
Cane pointed out that while Panorama emphasised Kaba’s “unarmed” status, it failed to acknowledge the fact that a vehicle itself can be—and often is—used as a deadly weapon. Kaba’s driving was erratic, and he repeatedly refused commands to surrender, adding to the volatile environment in which Sgt Blake was forced to make a split-second decision. This oversight is particularly concerning in light of the tragic history of officers who have lost their lives due to suspects weaponising vehicles to evade capture.
The statement from the Federation highlights that “the continued use of the word ‘unarmed’ when talking about Kaba remains scandalous when we consider how many colleagues have lost their lives because of vehicles.” This is no hypothetical danger; in recent years, the UK has mourned numerous officers who were killed by suspects using vehicles as weapons, including:
PC Jon Odell (2000), killed while conducting speed checks in Margate when a suspect deliberately ran him down.
PC Alison Armitage (2001), killed in Greater Manchester by a driver who ran her over twice to escape arrest.
PCs Bryan Moore and Andy Munn (2002), killed in Leicestershire when a suspect rammed their patrol car at high speed.
PC Ged Walker (2003), dragged to death by a suspect’s car in Nottinghamshire.
PC Phillip Pratt (2009), struck and killed by an oncoming car while managing traffic in Kent.
PC Phillipa Reynolds (2013), killed in Londonderry after being struck by a stolen vehicle.
PC Andy Duncan (2013) was struck while on duty during a speed check operation in London.
PC Dave Phillips (2015), killed while deploying a stinger device when a suspect deliberately veered towards him in Wallasey.
PC Gareth Browning (2017) was struck during a pursuit in Reading, leading to injuries that ultimately proved fatal.
PC Andrew Harper (2019), dragged to his death while attempting to apprehend suspects fleeing a burglary.
These tragic cases serve as stark reminders of the risks faced by officers confronting individuals willing to use vehicles to run from the police.
Make sure to follow us on X—the one platform where our stories reach you without being buried by algorithms!
Commentary from Protect_ServeUK: A Clear-Cut Case Misrepresented by the BBC
In addition to the Federation’s statement, Panorama has received criticism from Protect_ServeUK, a respected police commentator with GB News and TalkTV and a former Armed Response Vehicle (ARV) sergeant. His opinions on the episode encapsulate much of the frustration felt by the police community, as he highlighted specific flaws and omissions in the programme:
“Having just sat through the Kaba @BBCPanorama documentary I have a few observations:
Neil Basu’s assessment was refreshing and I think articulated the challenges of armed policing, particularly from such a senior former officer with exceptional investigative experience.
Tony Long, was as ever, outstanding in his assessment of how the use of lethal force is formed and the thoughts of an officer in that situation.
@BBCPanorama sat out to do only one thing. Make this issue solely about race. Lighting another match on tensions between police and communities. This was unhelpful and poor, but I’m not surprised at all.
Andy George, well he was typical Andy George. Anti-cops. Anti-armed policing… and loves the opportunity for some TV time.
The IOPC’s lead investigator doesn’t have a clue. I’m astounded at his comments and assessment on the matter.
Not once did I hear a family member or friend explain the violent history of Kaba, who was a member of a GANG, not a music group.
I empathise with Kaba’s parents. But it was his decisions that have caused them the pain and suffering, not the police. Interesting but not surprising that they didn’t want the delightful criminal history of their son coming out.
I have zero sympathy with anyone who is part of a gang, carries guns, shoots people, and then refuses to comply with police.
The IOPC found no evidence that racism formed any part of the reason why Kaba was shot. So why so much focus on that during this programme… The truth never makes for good television.
As the Kaba family said, no family should have to endure this, and I agree.
So to the young men of all colours and races, put down the guns, put down the knives, stop the violence, and the deaths will stop. This isn’t the police’s problem; this is your problem.”
Have a story you’d like us to cover? Reach out to us at contact@emergency-services.news. All communications are handled with the utmost confidentiality.
This robust criticism highlights how Panorama’s narrative ignored vital details. While officers did not know Kaba was behind the wheel, they did know that the vehicle was linked to a recent shooting. Uncertain whether the shooter or firearms used in that incident were in the car, officers could see that Kaba was using the vehicle itself as a weapon, repeatedly ramming police cars and attempting to escape. Such factors, many argue, are critical to understanding why Sgt Blake was compelled to act as he did.
Panorama’s Impact: The Divide Between Public and Police Perspectives
The documentary’s approach, particularly its emphasis on Kaba’s race, has added to an already strained relationship between the police and sections of the public. As Cane points out, “Panorama’s handling of the case threatens to drive a wedge between the truth-seeking public and the mainstream media.” Both Cane and Protect_ServeUK suggest that by focusing solely on race and presenting the narrative in such a way, the BBC has disregarded the complexities of policing, particularly in armed operations where split-second decisions are made to protect lives.
Sgt Blake, whose name was released publicly following a court ruling despite credible threats from Kaba’s gang affiliations, found himself in the midst of a politically charged murder investigation conducted by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The Metropolitan Police Federation argues that the IOPC, which launched a murder investigation within hours of the incident, allowed external pressures to shape their decisions, risking Sgt Blake’s freedom and livelihood for what they view as a lawful, training-compliant response to an immediate threat.
Calls for a Balanced Dialogue on Police Use of Force
The Federation’s statement reiterates its ongoing support for Sgt Blake and officers facing similar situations, adding, “Sgt Martyn Blake acted within the law that evening and within his police training on that day. He will always have the full support of the Metropolitan Police Federation.” Cane’s assertion, backed by Protect_ServeUK’s detailed observations, underscores a sentiment within the police community that the public and mainstream media must acknowledge the realities of armed policing and the very real risks officers face. Of course, it is always easy to criticise the police from the safety of an office.
The BBC’s approach to this case, the Federation argues, does little to foster understanding. Instead, it inflames tensions, potentially deterring officers from carrying firearms in the future. Such decisions could result in fewer officers willing to step into roles that require swift, decisive actions under threat, ultimately affecting public safety.
A Need for Realistic Understanding and Accountability
This latest Panorama episode has left a lasting impression on the police community, and not a positive one. The question raised by Matt Cane, Protect_ServeUK, and other policing professionals is clear: When will the media present a fair, fact-driven account of police incidents involving use of force? When will they stop acting like activists and start acting like truth-seeking journalists? It is essential that any reporting on such sensitive matters be both accurate and balanced, especially when officers’ careers, livelihoods, and lives are at stake.
The police community, while expressing empathy for the loss felt by Kaba’s family, argues that Kaba’s own decisions led to his tragic end. Compliance with lawful orders would likely have spared his life. For now, the Met Police Federation stands firmly by Sgt Blake, as do many in the community, who view the BBC’s narrative as a misrepresentation that fuels unnecessary distrust and division.
The Briefing Room: Insider Insights for Subscribers
Step into The Briefing Room—our exclusive space where we dive deeper into this story and more. With firsthand experience in both the emergency services and armed forces, we deliver reporting grounded in real-world expertise. Paid subscribers gain not only our unfiltered insights but also access to an exclusive chat where they can connect, share thoughts, and engage directly with our team.
As a reader-supported publication, we invite you to become a paid subscriber. Your support helps sustain our work and gives you access to the perspectives we reserve for insiders.
Opinion: A Distorted Mirror - The BBC's Panorama and Policing Reality
The recent Panorama documentary on the Chris Kaba shooting has once again demonstrated how some sections of the mainstream media can skew public perception, particularly when it comes to the police. The Metropolitan Police Federation's condemnation of the documentary's 'utter lack of balance' is not just a critique of a single programme; it's a clarion call for a fundamental shift in how our media discusses law enforcement…
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to ESN Report to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.