Bermuda is in line to become a regional centre for police training for British Overseas Territories and the Caribbean region.

The news came after four officers from the British Virgin Islands completed a close protection course for VIPs run by the Bermuda Police Service.

Commissioner of Police Stephen Corbishley said: “This forms an important step forward for Bermuda to become the regional training centre for specialised police training across the Overseas Territories and wider Caribbean police forces, a programme of work we are engaging with the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of National Security to take forward.”

He was speaking after the four BVI officers, two men and two women, passed out from the tough four and a half week course last Friday alongside four BPS officers, three men and one woman.

Mr Corbishley said: “Close protection is a specialist capability that the BPS are experts in the field of delivering training.

“The tactic allows us to protect VIPs and other high-profile individuals when undertaking public duties and demonstrates the BPS is a highly capable police service to manage all situations.

He added: “Additionally, I am pleased to support colleagues from the British Virgin Islands who received training to take back to their police service.”