The head of the body representing most police officers has been arrested on suspicion of fraud by abuse of position, weeks after he called for greater whistleblowing about wrongdoing.
The chief executive of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) since 2024, Mukund Krishna, 46, had helped oust powerful local leaders in the Metropolitan and West Midlands police forces and the federation, and had a salary and bonuses of £320,000 a year.
He was arrested at his Surrey home on Wednesday by detectives from the City of London force.
Two former senior federation officials were also arrested in a series of coordinated raids. A 51-year-old man from Wales and a 55-year-old man from Bristol were arrested on suspicion of fraud by abuse of position, as was Krishna.
Search warrants were executed at the federation’s headquarters in Leatherhead, Surrey, as well as at the homes of the three men arrested.
The Guardian understands that allegations were made to police more than a year ago, with some disclosures to detectives coming from current and past members of the federation.
Police say they were investigating “allegations of fraud relating to governance and financial decision-making” within the federation and “concerns” surrounding “three individuals … who occupied distinct senior roles within its governance and operational structure”.
In December Krishna wrote a piece in the Guardian promising more support from the federation for whistleblowers. Meanwhile, after the publication of a survey carried out by the PFEW that same month that found officers feared reporting colleagues for wrongdoing, Krishna wrote: “Officers are clear about why silence persists. Confidentiality worries are the most commonly cited barrier. Fear of reporting remains widespread. Many have seen or heard previous cases where support felt absent … When people do not believe they will be protected, wrongdoing thrives.”
Supporters said Krishna, a former management consultant, helped save the federation when it faced financial ruin after losing an expensive court case and incurring a bill running into millions.
A data breach and employment tribunal defeat left the federation with a potential £110m bill; Krishna negotiated the sum down to £40m.
The federation is the dominant body representing police officers in England and Wales and claims 145,000 members up to and including the rank of chief inspector.
It is understood ministers and officials were monitoring developments, given the importance of the federation to policing.
DS James Halkett, of the City of London police domestic corruption unit, said a criminal investigation was being held into allegations of fraud made against “three individuals connected to the national PFEW”.
Halkett said: “A 46-year-old man from Surrey, a 51-year-old man from Wales and a 55-year-old man from Bristol were all arrested on suspicion of fraud by abuse of position.”
Halkett appealed for anyone with information to come forward and added: “This is a complex and active investigation in which we are pursuing all lines of enquiry, and I would ask that anyone with further information related to our enquiries contact us via our major incident public portal.”
Police added that anyone who may have signed a non-disclosure agreement with the Fed can speak to them as such gag orders “are not binding if they relate to criminal conduct”.
A federation spokesperson said: “We are aware that three individuals connected to the Police Federation have been arrested as part of an ongoing police investigation. This is a live matter and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage. The organisation is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities.”
Federation officials were expected to discuss whether or not Krishna could stay in post while he was under criminal investigation.
The federation has been riven by infighting for decades and has faced pressure to reform.
