The chief executive of the organisation representing rank-and-file police officers across England and Wales has received a staggering £1.4 million in total remuneration over the past two years, including 100 per cent bonuses each year.
Record-Breaking Remuneration Package
Mukund Krishna, who leads the Police Federation of England and Wales, was paid £701,100 for each of 2024 and 2025, making him the highest-paid trade association or union leader in Britain. The substantial package consisted of a £342,000 basic salary, matched by an equal £342,000 'retention payment' bonus, plus a 5 per cent pension contribution of approximately £17,000 annually.
The revelation comes after a freedom of information request by a serving police officer initially uncovered Krishna's base salary. The federation subsequently disclosed the full extent of his compensation, which means he has earned in just two years what an ordinary police officer would typically make over three decades of service.
Federation Defends Payments Amid Criticism
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp described the payments as "a staggeringly large amount of money" and urged Police Federation members to "think very carefully about questions of appropriateness and value for money."
The federation vigorously defended Krishna's compensation, stating that the former management consultant, who became the organisation's first chief executive in 2023, had helped save it tens of millions of pounds in potential liabilities. According to federation bosses, their exposure over two historic group action claims related to pensions changes and a cyber attack could have reached £110 million, but was settled for £40 million - a saving of £70 million.
"Since 2023, the federation has stabilised its finances, resolved potentially catastrophic legal risks at a fraction of the potential liability, rebuilt reserves, invested in our representatives and services, and secured more than £150 million in compensation for members," a spokesman told the Daily Mail.
Officers Express Outrage at Pay Disparity
The enormous pay package has sparked anger among serving police officers, particularly at a time when some are reportedly relying on food banks to make ends meet. Lee Broadbent, the police officer who led the pensions action, challenged the federation's narrative that savvy negotiating secured the favourable settlement.
"To suggest [the federation] got the liability down because of savvy negotiating is insulting," Broadbent told The Times. "Members agreed to the lower amount to avoid bankrupting the federation."
The salary details emerged after Greater Manchester Police chief inspector Rob Riddell had his FOI request refused, prompting him to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office.
The Police Federation represents approximately 150,000 police officers across England and Wales. Unlike traditional unions, it is classified as a staff association because police officers are legally prohibited from taking industrial action.
