Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Kathryn Holloway announced the partnership, part of the Boost the Frontline scheme, which will allow police officers on light and restricted duties to receive state-of-the-art treatment in the University’s School of Sport Science & Physical Activity.

Commissioner Holloway said: “I know very well, having had serious back injuries myself, that an acute injury can become a chronic one if left untreated and am determined this should not happen to our officers, causing them greater pain and distress as well as delaying a return to full duties.

“Ours is truly a thin blue line and I have to do everything I can to offer support to officers to get them back to full health as soon as possible.”

Police officers will be able to take advantage of the University’s exercise science, fitness and strength & conditioning facilities, based at the Bedford campus.

The University and the OPCC have also agreed to support two Master of Research Students to complete a piece of research within Bedfordshire Police to investigate the health, fitness and wellbeing of the Police workforce.

The University’s Head of School of Sport Science & Physical Activity Dr Andrew Mitchell said: “We are delighted to be working with Bedfordshire Police on research that we hope will improve the health, fitness and wellbeing of police officers and staff within the force. Through our research we hope to be able to give police officers and staff access to the help and support they need that may not be available to them within existing Occupational Health services and the NHS.”

The Commissioner said: “The University has the most amazing facilities, which clearly I can’t afford to provide in-house through the Occupational Health Department. Our officers need specialist help with recuperation and the University wants to engage with the community, so this scheme will be of genuine benefit to us all.”