When superintendent Tom Stean walked into a policing open evening as a 19-year-old, he could not have predicted where the decision would take him.
Over a 22-year career with Bedfordshire Police, he has led complex investigations, tackled gang crime and helped protect vulnerable children across the county.
Now serving as the force’s community policing superintendent, he is sharing his journey to inspire local people considering a change in direction.
During his time as an officer and detective, he secured prison sentences while leading the force’s guns and gangs team, earning an official commendation for his work.
He also established the countywide Not My Child initiative to support parents and carers in identifying warning signs of child criminal exploitation and county lines.
His high-profile investigation work has attracted international news coverage, demonstrating the breadth of opportunities available within local policing.
Community policing superintendent Tom Stean said: “Policing really is unlike anything else.
“You can move into a new role, and it almost feels like starting a new career, but you’re still part of the same organisation and working alongside the people you know.”
Facing challenges
Reflecting on the realities of the role, he acknowledged that the work comes with significant challenges alongside rewarding moments.
He added: “Policing can be tough – you will face things that aren’t easy to deal with.
“But you’ll also have moments when you know you’ve genuinely made a difference to someone’s life, and that’s what makes the job so rewarding.
“If you’ve ever wondered whether policing could be right for you, I’d encourage you to come along to the Careers Fair, speak to the people doing the job and find out what’s possible.
“You might be surprised where you could be in 20 years.”
Event details
The force is hosting a drop-in careers fair at Wixams Academy on Saturday (10 October) from 12pm to 4pm.
Local people at all career stages can speak directly with frontline officers and specialist staff to learn about entry routes, pay, training and shift patterns.
Full details and event registration are available online at bedspolicecareers2026.eventbrite.com.
