Sandwich Placement Internship 2026/27

Job Description

Bedfordshire Police are inviting applications from undergraduates at UK universities for our Sandwich Internship Placement Scheme 2026. This is a paid internship open to all UK students, regardless of degree subject.

Qualifications Required

We are seeking to appoint students who are:

• capable of working within a team environment in a disciplined organisation
• innovative and forward thinking with fresh ideas
• capable of analytical thinking
• good oral communication skills
• comfortable speaking to people, of all ages and ranks.

It does not matter what degree subject you are studying, this opportunity is open to all students who can complete a sandwich placement as part of their degree course.

Additional Responsibilities

During your internships, undergraduates will immerse themselves in the day to day work of a team whilst working on a specialised work package. Our schemes not only provide students with valuable knowledge to support your degree but also essential work experience to increase skills, experience and employability.

Working at Bedfordshire Police

Bedfordshire Police is a well-respected, high-performing, efficiently run police service working together with others to protect people and keep Bedfordshire safe. A key part of our approach is to seek out new and innovative ways of introducing skills and fresh perspectives into the organisation to feed our culture of continuous improvement. As part of this strategy, we can offer an opportunity to 6 undergraduate students to commence a ten-month placement between September 2026 and July 2027.

Interns will join us across a number of business areas and interns will be allocated a line manager. Performance will be assessed against our competency framework and regular performance reviews are carried out. You will receive an induction that will allow you to become familiar with the new working environment following which, you will work with your allocated team completing work packages and gathering evidence towards your employability scheme and degree requirements.

Accommodation

You are expected to source and secure your own appropriate accommodation that enables you to attend your place of work with Bedfordshire Police. We do not provide accommodation or any support towards accommodation costs. It is anticipated that some student interns will be expected to work from home for some of the placement. If you do not live locally or within a reasonable commutable distance and choose not to relocate near Bedfordshire, then you must ensure you are able to attend police premises as and when required.

Location

Your location can be at any appropriate base within Bedfordshire which will include Police HQ or Luton Police Station as required.

Hours of Work

37 hours per week. Generally, office hours Monday to Friday though there may be the opportunity to work occasional weekends and evenings if that meets the intern’s developmental needs and the needs of the business area to which you are assigned.

Assessment and Interview Dates

Dates of assessment and interview are estimates and are subject to change.

Additional Advert Information

• Internal Applicants - Internal applicants must have successfully completed their probationary period. If you qualify as an internal candidate within the advertising force, you may upload either your CV or the internal role summary form attached to this advert.
• Vetting Process - As part of the vetting process, the BCH Vetting Unit may need to contact your current line manager for a Supervisor Appraisal. This requirement aligns with the 2025 National Guidelines for Vetting (APP 6.5.18).
• Redeployment and Redundancy - This vacancy is open to employees at risk of redundancy and will remain available to redeployees until a final offer has been agreed and accepted.
• Role Profile - We recommend downloading and saving a copy of the role profile, as it will no longer be accessible once the advert closes.
• Commitment to Inclusion - As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to be themselves. We provide workplace adjustments wherever needed so that all colleagues can thrive. If you have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the role, you will be guaranteed an interview under the Offer an Interview Scheme.

Help us deliver outstanding policing for everyone. We believe that to serve our communities effectively, we need people from all backgrounds, bringing a wide range of life and professional experiences. This helps us reflect the communities we serve and ensures we deliver the best possible service.

Why Choose a Career in Policing?

Bedfordshire Police is recognised as a pioneering and forward-thinking service, responsible for policing a large, diverse, and multicultural population.

If you're looking for a meaningful and rewarding career—where you can make a real difference, take on new challenges, and gain a wide variety of experiences—then we want to hear from you.

What We Offer

We’re proud to support our people with a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Pension Schemes: Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, with employer contributions and death-in-service benefits.
• Generous Annual Leave: 24 to 33 days (depending on rank and length of service).
• Sick Pay: Up to six months full pay and six months half pay (depending on service).
• Family Leave: Occupational maternity, adoption, and paternity pay (depending on service).
• Carers and Discretionary Leave
• Flexible Working: Including compressed hours, flexible shifts, job sharing, annualised hours, and agile working (role dependent).
• Wellbeing Support: Local wellbeing teams, on-site gym facilities, and exercise classes (location dependent).
• Sports & Social Clubs: Enjoy discounts, trips, and events through our dedicated clubs.
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Blue Light Card App: Option to sign up for discounts in-store and online for emergency service workers.
• Financial Support: Access to Police Mutual for savings plans, insurance, loans, and independent financial advice.
• Employee Assistance Programme: Confidential support for personal and professional wellbeing.
• Staff Support Networks: Including groups for Black and Minority Ethnic colleagues, LGBTQ+ colleagues, disability awareness, menopause support, faith-based groups, and more.
• Trade Union Membership: Access to UNISON.
• Career Development: Opportunities for progression, promotion, and leadership training.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to building a workforce that is inclusive and truly representative of the communities we serve. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, especially those currently under-represented in policing, including:

• Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities
• People of all ages and abilities
• All faiths and religions
• LGBTQ+ communities
• Individuals from disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds

All applications are assessed fairly and based on the evidence you provide and your suitability for the role.