A Rocky Start to 2025 for the Police Federation: Resignations, Allegations, and Growing Discontent

Rank-and-file officers demand answers as resignations, suspensions, and a no-confidence vote rock the organisation.

The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) has kicked off the new year with a storm of dissension that is shaking the confidence of its tens of thousands of paying members. At the heart of the turmoil lies the resignation of Craig Hewitt, Head of Civil Claims and National Board Member, whose damning resignation email exposes alleged long-standing financial mismanagement and a troubling culture within the organisation.

Adding fuel to the fire, these revelations have brought renewed attention to a petition titled "Vote of No Confidence in the CEO of the Police Federation of England and Wales," which had already been set up some time ago. This petition, which has garnered over 6,600 signatures and continues to grow daily, reflects the deep frustrations of many members.

Resignation and Revelations

Craig Hewitt’s resignation email, shared publicly by the PFEW_Whistle account on X, highlights what he describes as severe financial mismanagement at PFEW. Hewitt’s concerns centre on the organisation’s repeated failure to pay legal invoices on time—a critical issue for an organisation tasked with representing the legal interests of tens of thousands of hard-working police officers. Hewitt stated:

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"PFEW has for some time now, at least the last couple of years, had problems paying our legal invoices, breaching the contract we have with our panel firms... This situation is currently worse than it has ever been."

According to Hewitt, delays in payments have caused significant frustration among legal firms, with some warning they may cease working with PFEW altogether. He described situations where panel firms and barristers have considered dropping PFEW as a client due to non-payment, despite the organisation’s contractual obligations.

Hewitt’s email also raises questions about the departure of former Finance Director John Phelan and accuses the CEO of failing to address these issues, opting instead to shift blame to panel firms for supposedly submitting invoices incorrectly. Hewitt’s claims paint a worrying picture of an organisation struggling to fulfil its financial obligations, despite its reliance on substantial monthly contributions from police officers.

This sense of dysfunction is further compounded by the suspension of Rick Prior, Chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation, following his remarks in an interview with GB News. Prior’s comments about the damaging impact of "vexatious and malicious investigations" by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) touched on the hesitancy of officers to apply the law "without fear or favour" for fear of complaints or suspensions.

His suspension has been widely seen as part of a broader trend of silencing dissent within the Federation, raising further questions about its commitment to supporting its members. Rick Prior has been regarded by many as a staunch supporter of Met Police officers, consistently advocating for their interests. His suspension has only deepened the sense of alienation between rank-and-file police officers and PFEW HQ, exacerbating the growing divide between the Federation's leadership and its grassroots members.

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Hewitt also noted that several firms have directly communicated their frustrations, including threats of legal action against PFEW to recover unpaid invoices. This growing rift between the Federation and its legal representatives could have far-reaching consequences for its members who rely on these services in their time of need, especially when police officers appear to regularly be the victims of witch hunts which many people feel are being done to appease some anti-police sections of the mainstream media. The Federation’s ability to protect and support officers in these trying circumstances seems increasingly compromised to many people.

The CEO’s Response

Mukund Krishna, CEO of the PFEW, swiftly responded to Hewitt’s email in a message to National Board members. Krishna’s email acknowledges the "challenging nature" of PFEW’s finances, citing the burden of a Leigh Day settlement and significant monthly legal costs exceeding £1 million in 2024 alone. Notably, Krishna has never served in the police, a fact that has drawn criticism from some quarters, as he accuses Hewitt of spreading "false and alarmist allegations."

Krishna insists that under his leadership, PFEW’s reserves grew to nearly £11 million in 2024, allowing the organisation to make significant payments toward legal obligations. However, because the PFEW does not publish its accounts, it is difficult to independently verify such claims, which has led to calls for greater transparency from some critics. While he acknowledges some delays in processing invoices, Krishna attributes this to budgetary constraints rather than systemic failures. He also defends the organisation’s handling of legal invoices, stating that measures are being taken to improve efficiency, including appointing a new Head of Member Legal Services.

However, critics have noted that these justifications do little to address the immediate and practical concerns raised by Hewitt’s resignation. Krishna’s response appears to highlight a disconnect between leadership and the day-to-day realities faced by members who rely on PFEW’s services. Many believe this disconnect stems from Krishna’s lack of firsthand experience in policing, which may make it difficult for him to fully grasp the pressures and needs of frontline officers.

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The response—focused heavily on defending financial decisions rather than addressing the impact on members—has been interpreted by some as indicative of a leadership more concerned with maintaining control than with serving its membership. This perception only deepens the frustration of officers who feel under-supported by an organisation meant to champion their cause.

Allegations of Bullying and Silence Among the Board

The controversy surrounding Hewitt’s resignation isn’t just about finances. PFEW_Whistle’s commentary on X adds another layer to the story, alleging a toxic organisational culture under Krishna’s leadership. The post reads:

"Yet another employee/NC member/NB member highlighting poor treatment and bullying at the hands of the unelected CEO, yet the National Board and Exec continue to sit on their hands. Silence and apathy has been well and truly bought, a favour here for a favour there, disgraceful."

This accusation underscores a growing perception that the Federation’s leadership has become increasingly disconnected from its rank-and-file members. Allegations of bullying and a lack of accountability point to a culture of dysfunction that could undermine trust in the organisation. Hewitt’s resignation, paired with these accusations, raises significant questions about accountability within an organisation whose members entrust it with their careers, legal representation, and professional wellbeing. The Federation’s suspension of outspoken representatives, such as Rick Prior and Richard Cooke, Chair of the West Midlands Police Federation, further feeds the perception of an autocratic leadership style that stifles dissent.

The Salary and the Petition

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Amidst the turmoil, the reported salary of PFEW’s CEO—£280,000 per annum—has not gone unnoticed by critics. Many have questioned whether such a substantial sum is justifiable in light of the Federation’s alleged financial struggles. Meanwhile, the petition calling for a vote of no confidence in Krishna’s leadership continues to gain momentum, with 6,642 signatures at the time of writing. The petition reflects the simmering frustration of PFEW’s rank-and-file members, who are demanding greater transparency, accountability, and more effective leadership.

Critics have highlighted the stark contrast between the CEO’s salary and the challenges faced by ordinary members of the Federation, who fund the organisation through their monthly contributions. For many, the call for a vote of no confidence is a demand for meaningful change and a leadership that prioritises the needs of its members over internal politics and bureaucracy.

A Broader Crisis of Trust

The unfolding events at PFEW highlight a broader crisis of trust within the organisation. With legal firms questioning whether they can continue to work with the Federation, and members rallying behind a no-confidence vote, the stakes have never been higher. The Federation’s role as a representative body for police officers is being called into question, and its leadership faces a critical test of accountability. The suspensions of Rick Prior and Richard Cooke only add to the urgency of addressing these systemic issues to restore trust and integrity.

Opinion: Why This Matters

The issues raised by Craig Hewitt’s resignation and the subsequent fallout are not just internal squabbles; they speak to the very core of the Police Federation’s mission to represent and protect police officers. For many observers, trouble has been brewing at PFEW HQ for quite some time.

The suspension of both the Metropolitan Police PFEW Chair and the West Midlands Police PFEW Chair after they spoke out in support of their members has only reinforced the perception that the PFEW operates more like an autocratic bureaucracy than a transparent, member-led organisation.

A particularly troubling example comes from the case of Rick Prior, Chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation, who was suspended after speaking to GB News about the damaging impact of what he described as "vexatious and malicious investigations" by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Mr Prior highlighted that such investigations have made officers hesitant to apply the law "without fear or favour," fearing complaints or suspensions. He went on to argue that the "racism of low expectations" has hampered leadership’s ability to address inappropriate behaviour towards officers.

Despite being elected to represent his members, Mr Prior now finds himself under investigation by the Federation for these remarks. But isn’t this exactly what elected members are supposed to do? They are chosen by police officers to be their voice, even when that means addressing uncomfortable truths that may not sit well with everyone. In stark contrast, the CEO of the Federation is not elected by its members, raising further questions about whose interests the leadership truly serves