Contributed

Stanly Community College held the graduating Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) ceremony on the Albemarle campus, Dennis Auditorium, on Jan. 9.

N.C. House Rep. Wayne Sasser was the keynote speaker during the ceremony. He thanked the graduates for choosing a noble profession and wished them much success as they begin their careers in the law enforcement profession.

SCC President Dr. John Enamait gave the opening remarks and thanked the sponsoring agencies that support the students during their basic law enforcement training. Sponsoring agencies included Concord Police Department, Locust Police Department, Matthews Police Department, Mooresville Police Department, Mount Holly Police Department, Stanly County Sheriff’s Office and Union County Sheriff’s Office.

Additionally, Enamait noted that the graduates had a 100 percent pass rate on the state exam.

“Respect is at the heart of all law enforcement,” he said. “We appreciate the sponsoring agencies and the students who were determined to persevere through their training. Congratulations to all our graduates and best to all in the future.”

During the ceremony, the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard performed the Presentation of Colors. Lt. John Howell, Stanly County Sheriff’s Office, gave the invocation. Micki Thompson, SCC BLET assistant director, gave the welcoming remarks and noted it was a perfect evening for SCC BLET graduation, since it was National Law Enforcement Day.

Ansley M. Burkhalter, a BLET student, was the class speaker for the ceremony. Burkhalter was sponsored by the Concord Police Department for his training.

Christi Buchanan, BLET director, presented awards to the students, and gave closing remarks.

Derek Yang received the Damon Smith Award, Nijah Armstrong received the Physical Fitness Award, Michael Humes received the Top Academic Award, Kenneth James received the Top Driver Award and Jeremy Brown received the Top Gun Award.

The BLET program is designed to give students essential skills required for entry-level employment as law enforcement officers with state, county, or municipal governments or with private enterprise.

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.

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

For more information about the next BLET program, call Christi Almond Buchanan at 704-991-0269 or email at cbuchanan5263@stanly.edu.