The chief of Northumbria Police has been awarded the largest bonus of any serving police officer.

Temporary Chief Constable Sue Sim received the £33,247 bonus for 18 months’ work while she was Assistant and then Deputy Chief Constable of the force.

Mrs Sim's payout is surpassed only by that awarded to her predecessor Mike Craik, who got £43,663 over his last two years with the force, during which he was earning a £156,000 salary.

And figures reported today show that in the last three years more than £2.2million has been paid in bonuses to chief constables, their deputies and assistants.

Information obtained under the Freedom of Information Act shows some officers have seen their bonuses increase during the recession.

Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation for England and Wales, said: “We have been opposed to bonuses from the start.

“Bonuses for chief constables are unpopular with our members but they are also unpopular with the public. These bonuses are being paid at a time when forces are facing cuts of 20 per cent.”

Durham Police’s Chief Constable Jon Stoddart received £18,765.

Coun Mick Henry, Chair of the Northumbria Police Authority, said: “Northumbria has one of the best police forces in the country with an excellent record for reducing crime and making the area a safer place to live.

“This is due to sound leadership and management by the senior team, and of course the quality and endeavour of their officers and staff.

“Chief officers are eligible for annual bonus payments as part of a national scheme for reviewing their performance and development, based on assessments against pre-determined objectives and under the guidance of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC).

“If the agreed performance targets are met, then the Police Authority can pay a bonus within a set percentage range.”