The new chief constable for Essex will earn nearly £200,000, despite wide-ranging cuts to police budgets.
Stephen Kavanagh will start his new post on May 7 and his total salary of £192,163 is nearly £50,000 more than Prime Minister David Cameron's yearly wage.
He will also earn £17,500 more than his predecessor and more than ten times the starting salary of a new recruit.
In January, Home Secretary Theresa May announced new constables' starting salaries would be cut from £23,000 to £19,000.
Mr Kavanagh's appointemnt has been announced at a time when Whitehall has reduced policing budgets by 20 per cent, therefore having to find £44 million a year in savings.
Nick Alston, Essex Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "Stephen Kavanagh is an exceptional police officer who currently holds an important position as Deputy Assistant Commissioner in the Metropolitan Police Service.
"During the selection process, Stephen's passion to lead Essex Police for a full four years and to serve the people of Essex was crystal clear.
"We had an outstanding field of candidates, of whom Stephen was the very best. Therefore, I have decided to use the discretion given to me under the legislation to ensure that Stephen is remunerated at the top end of the agreed national range.
"Essex Police is one of the largest employers in Essex, and I find it hard to imagine a more important job than keeping us all safe. I am confident that Stephen will work tirelessly on behalf of the people of Essex."What do you think? Is this salary deserved? Leave your comments below or vote in our poll
Stephen Kavanagh will start his new post on May 7 and his total salary of £192,163 is nearly £50,000 more than Prime Minister David Cameron's yearly wage.
He will also earn £17,500 more than his predecessor and more than ten times the starting salary of a new recruit.
In January, Home Secretary Theresa May announced new constables' starting salaries would be cut from £23,000 to £19,000.
Mr Kavanagh's appointemnt has been announced at a time when Whitehall has reduced policing budgets by 20 per cent, therefore having to find £44 million a year in savings.
Nick Alston, Essex Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "Stephen Kavanagh is an exceptional police officer who currently holds an important position as Deputy Assistant Commissioner in the Metropolitan Police Service.
"During the selection process, Stephen's passion to lead Essex Police for a full four years and to serve the people of Essex was crystal clear.
"We had an outstanding field of candidates, of whom Stephen was the very best. Therefore, I have decided to use the discretion given to me under the legislation to ensure that Stephen is remunerated at the top end of the agreed national range.
"Essex Police is one of the largest employers in Essex, and I find it hard to imagine a more important job than keeping us all safe. I am confident that Stephen will work tirelessly on behalf of the people of Essex."What do you think? Is this salary deserved? Leave your comments below or vote in our poll
