The police authority chairman has spent time behind bars in a cell.
Peter Conniff was locked up on Tuesday at Greyfriars, Bedford custody suite to see for himself what it’s like to be detained.
Bedfordshire Police Authority took the unusual step to highlight the work it does to ensure that people being held in custody are looked after properly.
Mr Conniff said: “There is a first time for everything.
“Now I know what it feels like to hear the door clamp shut with me on the wrong side.”
While Mr Conniff was experiencing a cell in Bedford, Reverend Lloyd Denny was being subjected to the same processes at Luton Police Station.
He said: “As long as they remember to release me then I think it will be an interesting experience.”
The lock-ups were part of a national awareness week to illustrate the differences between the responsibilities of the local police force and the authorities, which are independent organisations.