RALEIGH, NC (July 9, 2024) – A new class of highly trained law enforcement officers will soon be on patrol in Wake County and the surrounding areas. On Tuesday, 17 trainees graduated from Wake Technical College’s rigorous Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy (BLET). Many of the graduates are already employed by local police departments, including Cary, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale and Angier.
During a ceremony held on the South Wake Campus, the cadets received their certificates and awards in front of their proud family and friends. Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls congratulated the cadets and thanked them for choosing a career in law enforcement.
“Graduating from Wake Tech’s BLET program requires intellectual rigor, grit and perseverance,” said Dr. Ralls. “We are proud of your accomplishments and thank you for your courage and dedication to serving and protecting our communities.”
Wake Tech’s BLET program includes 768 hours of training and requires trainees to pass the Police Officer Physical Aptitude Test (POPAT), a timed exercise in search and rescue, physical agility and mental alertness training.
Five cadets received awards for their efforts.
Distinguished Achievement – Highest Academic Average: Emily June Rainey Padgett
Johnny Blackman Memorial Award – Most Physically Fit: DaeShawn Lewis Smith
Honorable Mention – Highest Firearm Average: Ty Cobb
Best Police Officer Physical Abilities Test (POPAT): Daeshawn Lewis Smith
Wake Tech also presented a special award to graduate Charles Melvin Ong, named in honor of Knightdale Police Officer Ryan Heyworth, a Wake Tech BLET graduate who died in the line of duty in 2021. Officer Heyworth’s parents were also in attendance to present the award named after their son.
Ong, who is also the class sergeant, offered some advice to his fellow graduates.
“Our passion to serve has helped us achieve the goal we are celebrating today,” said Mr Ong. “We are now embarking on a new career as civil servants. Let us always make today better than yesterday.”
Wendell Police Chief John Slaughter was the guest speaker at the event. With over 20 years of experience in the police department, Slaughter encouraged his officers to trust their training.
“The knowledge I gained at Wake Tech is in my toolbox,” he said, “use what you learn, never stop training, stick to your core values, treat others the way you want to be treated, and always have a servant mentality.”
The ceremony also included special recognition for recently retired Dean of Public Safety Education and Training John Gregory, who was presented with a special retirement award by the university in recognition of his work in shaping the program into what it is today.
Wake Tech is the first community college in North Carolina, and second in the nation, to achieve CALEA® accreditation for its Public Safety Training Academy. CALEA®, the Commission on Law Enforcement Accreditation, recognizes best practices and professional excellence in policy and practice.
Enrollment in Wake Tech’s BLET program has increased in response to increased demand for training from local institutions, with additional classes added for the fall semester.
The Public Safety Education Campus provides training for law enforcement officers, corrections officers, firefighters, SBI and Department of Homeland Security personnel.
The school’s state-of-the-art Public Safety Simulation Complex at Wake Tech East in Wendell provides comprehensive, reality-based training to emergency responders from the county, state and other parts of the country. Wake Tech’s EMS program is also offered at the complex.
