BLET graduates set high mark

The graduates of Edgecombe Community College’s 15^th Basic Academy for Basic Law Enforcement Training earned a significant achievement and set an unprecedented mark.

Of the 36 cadets who began the academy on Oct. 3, 2024, 32 graduated from the program on Tuesday, March 11. The graduates were all recognized in the Keihin Auditorium on the Tarboro campus as the largest-ever graduating class from the college, exceeding the previous record by 11.

ECC can also tout the pass rate for the class on an exam mandated by the NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission. According to BLET School Director, Bernie Taylor, of the 32 cadets who successfully completed their requirements of eligibility in order to sit for the state comprehensive certification examination, all 32 passed, achieving a 100 percent pass rate.

“Having 36 cadets enter the program with 32 successfully completing and passing the state exam, is a direct result of our staff of 50 plus instructors,” said Taylor.  “Of those instructors, 95 percent work full-time in the law enforcement field and take time off, which could very well be spent with their family. Instead, they teach in our BLET program to preserve the future of law enforcement.”

ECC’s BLET Academy is a 22-week program that prepares students for entry-level employment as a law enforcement officer with state, county or municipal governments. During the academy, cadets receive Officer Survival Training, training in high-risk calls, as well as 40 hours of Crisis Intervention Team Training (CIT). CIT teaches students how to effectively respond to situations involving a mental health crisis or someone experiencing a developmental disability. CIT certification is nationally recognized. The academy also provides certification in tasers, pepper spray and expandable batons.   

“Without the support of the law enforcement community, our program wouldn’t be as successful as it is,” continued Taylor “Fifteen different law enforcement agencies from across eastern North Carolina sent their personnel to this basic academy.”  Of the 32 who completed the academy, all 32 were hired by one of those law enforcement agencies.

The following graduated from ECC’s BLET Academy and have been hired by the law enforcement agencies listed beside their name. 

Emma Allen, Greenville Police Department

Franklin Arias, Scotland Neck Police Department

Hunter Baker, Northampton County Sheriff’s Office

Ky’Mia Council, Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office

Rochelle Gaskins, Washington County Sheriff’s Office

Anthony Gonzalez, Rocky Mount Police Department

Marcelo Guijarro, Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office

Damontay Jackson, Farmville Police Department

Johnathan LaGrone, Chowan County Sheriff’s Office

Jessica Little, Tarboro Police Department

Enriqueta Lotzin, Wilson Police Department

Re’Killya Mallory, Northampton County Sheriff’s Office

Hunter McGee, Greenville Police Department

Allen Melton Jr., Bertie County Sheriff’s Office

Danielle Melton, Bertie County Sheriff’s Office

Teresa Morales, Halifax County Sheriff’s Office

Michael Morton, Farmville Police Department

Thomas Proffitt IV, Farmville Police Department

Christian Ramirez, Rocky Mount Police Department

Isaac Randolph, Rocky Mount Police Department

Christopher Roberts, Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office

Marco Sanchez, Pinetops Police Department

Dyllan Schoolfield, Edenton Police Department

Jamoty Sharpe, Rocky Mount Police Department

Tyler Simpkins, Rocky Mount Police Department

Steven Smith, Wilson Police Department

Derrick Thompson Jr, Tarboro Police Department

Nolan Viverette, Rocky Mount Police Department

Lucas Votava, Chowan County Sheriff’s Office

Jermaine Whitaker, Winterville Police Department

Dante Wiggins, Rocky Mount Police Department

Tanner Wittig, Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office