Overview:

The Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program is provided through a structured law enforcement academy environment of sixteen weeks with instruction in thirty-three topic blocks. Successful completion enables the cadet to qualify as a certified law enforcement officer in North Carolina for employment at the state, county, or municipal level. The requirements, curriculum, regimen, and accreditation standards are set and controlled by the North Carolina Department of Justice, Criminal Justice Standards Division. Halifax Community College is one of the state’s accredited BLET training academy sites. The BLET program is a nineteen semester hour credit course (CJC 100) in the Criminal Justice Department and earns the graduate 19 semester hours of academic credit as well as certification to become a law enforcement officer.

Academy Sessions:

The college offers two BLET academy sessions per year; the fall semester session begins in August and graduates in December and the spring semester begins in January and graduates in May annually.

Academy classes are typically from 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday with some evening and weekend classes. Tardiness or absences from class are unacceptable.

Basic Admission Requirements:

1.     Twenty-years of age by the time the academy begins. A special waiver may be obtained if the  

        applicant’s 20^th birthday falls during the academy.

2.     High school or GED graduate.

3.     No serious criminal history  (any applicant whose background would make them ineligible for employment

          as a sworn North Carolina law enforcement officer would be ineligible to enroll in the BLET program).

4.     No DUI charges.

5.     Sponsorship by either a sheriff or chief of police.

Additional Admission Requirements & Related Forms:

Each candidate will receive a BLET application packet which contains the following forms and other application requirements, all of which must be completed and returned to the Director of Criminal Justice in order to reserve the cadet a seat in the next upcoming academy session:

1.     Halifax Community College application

2.     Sponsorship form

3.     State form F-1 (medical history statement)

4.     State form F-2 (medical examination form)

5.     State form F-3 (personal history statement)

6.     Copy of driver’s license and social security card

7.     Transcript from high school or GED

8.     Criminal history check from each county of residence since the age of sixteen

9.     Certified copy of DMV driver history

10.    BLET expense data sheet

11.    Applicant check list

Application Submission Deadline:

Applicants for an upcoming BLET academy class must have all forms and application processes completed and turned in no later than August 1^st. or January 2^nd.  depending on which semester class the applicant plans to attend. Class size is limited and individual seats are reserved based on receipt of all required application materials.

It is never too soon in advance of an academy start-up date for anyone interested in attending the class to schedule an appointment with the Director of Criminal Justice to receive the application package and begin the process leading to certification and employment as a law enforcement officer.

Academy Costs:

The cost for a cadet to attend the BLET program is approximately as follows:

General Information:

The BLET program includes physical training and requires physical activities which may be strenuous, therefore it is advised that cadets selected to attend the program begin an exercise program prior to the beginning of the academy, Especially if an exercise routine is not part of one’s normal activity.

Uniforms are required daily wear for cadets attending the BLET academy. It is required each cadet daily wear a clean, pressed uniform ; only uniforms from approved vendors are allowed. However, the number of various uniform parts is left to the discretion of the student.

Contact Information:

For additional information about the Basic Law Enforcement training program, or to schedule an appointment to receive the Basic Law Enforcement application package, contact:

Col. W.P. (Wes) Terry, Jr. – ret’d

Director of Criminal Justice

Halifax Community College

P.O. Drawer 809

Weldon, North Carolina 27890

252. 536.7277 (office)

terryw@halifaxcc.edu