LONG-term suspension cases including that of a £225,000-a-year chief fire officer need to be resolved "much more quickly", an MP said.
David Johnson was suspended on full pay by Essex Fire and Rescue Service in April 2015 after being on sick leave since June 2014 and is yet to return reports the BBC.
Essex Fire Authority said it had a duty to investigate allegations against him.
Braintree MP James Cleverly said it had been "very expensive" for taxpayers and a "distraction" for firefighters.
"There needs to a balance – of course fire authorities have to do a professional, fair and ethical investigation," he said.
"But ultimately, a lot of public money is at stake here and when you’ve got highly-paid public servants who are not able to do their jobs still being paid, it’s not good news for taxpayers."
A Freedom of Information Request seen by the BBC revealed £201,000 had been spent on Mr Johnson’s suspension between 20 April 2015 and 29 February this year.
Legal fees paid out during that time came to £116,000, and a total of £97,000 was spent on allowances paid to staff for covering the chief fire officer’s responsibilities.
An Essex Fire Authority spokesman said Mr Johnson was entitled to continue receiving his salary because his suspension was a "neutral" act.
