A Bermuda Police Service officer was chosen to take part in a United States Secret Service training course next week.

Detective Constable McKeon Stevens will attend the event in Washington DC as authorities aim to strengthen ties between the two countries.

A spokeswoman for the US Consulate Hamilton said the United States Government will fully fund the policeman’s participation in the training.

Detective Constable Stevens, an 18-year veteran of the BPS, added: “I am excited about this new opportunity and look forward to the experience.”

The spokeswoman said that US Consul General Karen Grissette made it a priority to deepen “the already strong security partnership with Bermuda” during her tenure.

Ms Grissette added: “I am honoured to congratulate DC McKeon Stevens on his selection for this training opportunity with security counterparts from across the United States and around the world. We were delighted the US Secret Service opened enrolment to an officer from Bermuda.

“This course is yet another demonstration of our commitment to working collaboratively with Bermuda to confront security challenges and to strengthen the special US-Bermuda relationship.”

Patrick J. Freaney, the US Secret Service New York Field Office Special Agent in Charge, said: “The US Secret Service is an active participant in the global law enforcement community and joins in stride with our partners’ efforts on any opportunity to achieve the highest levels of public safety and security.

“The invaluable information exchange and sharing of best practices among the Secret Service and local law enforcement leaders from around the world serves to only benefit the global collective, and I am grateful to the Bermuda Police Service for their partnership.”

Detective Superintendent Sean Field Lament, the officer in charge of the Specialist Investigations Division with the BPS, supported the selection of Detective Constable Stevens, who is part of the service’s Special Branch Intelligence Division.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Antoine Daniels thanked Ms Grissette “for affording a member of the BPS a place on the prestigious” course.

He congratulated the police officer and said: “This will not only improve our partnership working, but additionally the interoperability across law enforcement agencies, particularly when US dignitaries are visiting the island.”