Events
Graduates Answer the Call to Protect and Serve
RALEIGH, N.C. (December 8, 2025) – A new class of dedicated law enforcement officers is ready to serve and protect communities across the region.
Thirteen highly trained cadets graduated from Wake Tech's rigorous Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy (BLET) during a special ceremony at the Southern Wake Campus. Many of the cadets have already been hired at local departments, including Cary, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Angier, Chapel Hill, Nash County, Burlington and the State Capitol Police.
The college's BLET program goes beyond the state-mandated 868 hours of course content with a total of 962.5 hours of training, weekly lectures, evaluations and multiple exams per week. The cadets are also required to pass the Police Officers Physical Ability Test (POPAT), a timed series of search and rescue, physical agility and mental alertness drills.
At Monday's ceremony, several cadets were recognized for outstanding achievements:
Class Sgt. Adkins encouraged his fellow graduates: "We've faced challenges together and pushed through. Now, it's time to take what we've learned and make a difference in the communities we serve."
Guest speaker Apex Police Chief Ryan Johansen offered advice for the new officers.
"Never forget why you chose to become a police officer. Stay true to your values, keep learning and do the right thing, even when there is no spotlight. Recognize opportunities to make an impact. Don't forget, you are exceptional, and by choosing this profession, you have a chance to pursue excellence."
Wake Tech was the first community college in North Carolina – and the second in the nation – to earn CALEA® accreditation for its Public Safety Training Academy. CALEA®, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, recognizes best practices and professional excellence in policy and practice.
The college's Public Safety Education Campus in Raleigh provides training for first responders and other public safety personnel, including law enforcement, the North Carolina Department of Corrections, the State Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It also offers an associate degree in Criminal Justice Technology.
The state-of-the-art Public Safety Simulation Complex, at the Eastern Wake Campus in Wendell, offers comprehensive, reality-based training for first responders from across the county, state and other parts of the country.
Learn more about public safety training and education at Wake Tech.
