Stanly Community College (SCC) students recently completed the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program and were honored at a graduation ceremony at North Albemarle Baptist Church.

Guest speaker for the ceremony was Norwood Police Chief James Wilson.

The four-month full-time BLET program gives students essential skills required for entry-level employment as law enforcement officers with state, county or municipal governments or with private enterprises. This program utilizes state commission mandated topics and methods of instruction.

General subjects include, but are not limited to criminal, juvenile, civil, traffic, and alcoholic beverage laws; investigative, patrol, custody, and court procedures; emergency response, ethics and community relations.

“This course is not for the light-hearted or for those with weak dedication,” SCC President Dr. John Enamait said. “The course requires students to learn what a true team is all about, what respect means for both them as law enforcement officers, but also respect for and from the public. In today’s society, respect and teamwork are certainly hard to come by but it is at the heart of everything a public service law enforcement member does.”

Without law enforcement agency sponsorships, students cannot be accepted into the BLET program. The following agencies sponsored the cadets in this class: Stallings Police Department, NC State Parks (Morrow Mountain), Salisbury Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Locust Police Department, UNC-Charlotte Police Department, Norwood Police Department, Mint Hill Police Department, Albemarle Police Department and Concord Police Department.

The following individuals were recognized for their achievements:

• Top Academic Award – Kyle McKay;

• Top Shooter/Firearms Award – David Whitley;

• Top Driver Award – Walter Adcock; and

• Leadership Award – Cody Teague.

Kyle McKay also received the Damon Smith Award that was established when Officer Smith of the Oakboro Police Department was killed in the line of duty.

Smith’s widow, Crystal Whitley, presented the award.

“It is an honor to see there are still good, honorable and courageous men and women who are willing to put on the badge knowing what it could mean for them,” said Whitley.

Successful graduates receive a curriculum certificate and are qualified to take the state certification exam mandated by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and/or the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission.

Students in the BLET program may be eligible for scholarships up to $750 per semester through the Golden LEAF Foundation.