The Metropolitan Police Services has partnered with the EY Foundation to provide a three week paid internship scheme for young people in the capital. Around 65 teenagers from low-income backgrounds applied for the Met Futures internship and 10-month follow-on mentoring scheme. It is intended to build young Londoners’ confidence, develop their professional skills and inspire their career choices.
Twenty-seven applicants successfully passed an interview – all from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities – and the internship gave them a look behind the scenes at how London is policed. Each of the 17-year olds was based in part of the Met’s corporate services teams and took part in sessions on communication skills, interview technique and CV building.
As part of the three-week experience, the interns had a tour of Met Command and Control – where 999 emergency calls are managed – the Special Operations Room, where major policing operations such as protests and the response to terrorist attacks are coordinated, and the police horse stables at Great Scotland Yard.
The interns’ achievements were recognised at a closing ceremony held at New Scotland Yard. This is the first year the Met Futures internship has taken place in person, as Covid restrictions meant that it was held virtually last year.