Students at Stanly Community College (SCC) recently graduated from the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program. Requirements for graduation include 624-hours of coursework, 35 topical tests, completing the Police Officer’s Physical Agilities Test and passing exams mandated by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education/Training Standards Commission and/or the North Carolina Sheriffs Education and Training Standards Commission.

These BLET graduates are from surrounding counties and have been sponsored by the following list of law enforcement agencies: Stanly County Sheriff's Office, Anson County Sheriff's Office, Albemarle Police Department, Locust Police Department, Stanfield Police Department, Oakboro Police Department, Badin Police Department, Misenheimer Police Department, Rockwell Police Department, Mint Hill Police Department, Matthews Police Department, Stallings Police Department, and the Concord Police Department.

SCC awards the Damon Smith Award to an outstanding graduate of each BLET class. This award is given in Damon’s memory and in his honor as a fallen officer from the Oakboro Police Department.

Robert Nicely was selected to receive the Damon Smith Outstanding Student award. To be eligible for this award, instructors tally scores from firearms, driver training, physical training and academics. They also look for traits such as good moral character, honesty, leadership and a positive attitude when making the selection.

Basic Law Enforcement Training classes are offered as a full-time day program or as a part-time evening program. For more information, contact Christi Almond, Law Enforcement Training Coordinator, at (704) 991-0269 or click here for more information.

BLET Graduates (Left to Right) 1st row – Jonathan McClain, Bobby Nicely, Larry Beachum, Eric Wilson, and Bryan Lee. 2nd row – Jaman Smith, Adam Moore, Shawn Hill, Brian Morehouse, Michael Malloy, Devin Simpson and Thomas Lindow. 3rd row – Joseph Hawkins, Chris Smith, Phillip Barbee, Jeremy Forrest, Zach Thomas and Eric Hawes.