Events
Law Enforcement Cadets Graduate
RALEIGH, N.C. (December 15, 2022) - Wake Tech honored 32 cadets from the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) Academy today during a graduation ceremony at the Southern Wake Campus. It was largest class of BLET graduates in 15 years.
Cadets received certificates and awards in front of a standing-room only crowd of family, friends and guests, including Eddie Buffaloe Jr., the secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, and Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe.
Many of the highly trained and dedicated law enforcement officers have already been hired and will soon be on patrol in Wake County and beyond.
Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls congratulated the cadets and thanked them for all their hard work.
"We are honored that you chose the BLET program at Wake Tech to train for your career in law enforcement, and we are proud of your courage to protect and serve our community," Ralls said.
Wake Tech's rigorous BLET program includes 768 hours of training, and cadets are required to pass the Police Officers Physical Ability Test, a timed series of search and rescue, physical agility and mental alertness drills.
Three cadets received awards for their accomplishments:
- Highest Academic Average Award – Mikayla Stahlbusch
- Johnny Blackman Physical Fitness Award – Lloyd Garrick III
- Highest Firearms Average Top Gun Award – Wyatt Godwin
Wake Tech also recognized Stahlbusch with a special award named in honor of Knightdale Police Officer Ryan Hayworth, a Wake Tech BLET graduate who was killed in the line of duty last year.
Cadet Nicholas Beltz, who is also class sergeant, encouraged his fellow graduates to use the lessons they learned at Wake Tech.
"The training we received has given us the ability to become the best law enforcement officers we can be," Beltz said.
Apex Police Chief Jason Armstrong was the guest speaker for the event and offered graduates advice.
"Make sure you are constantly calibrating your judgment, and treat people the way they want to be treated. When you go out of your way to help someone, that is what will impact your career the most," Armstrong said.
Armstrong is recognized as one of the nation's top law enforcement leaders in the areas of community outreach and engagement and police reform. He is a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police and Fight Crime: Invest in Kids. He holds a master's degree in Public Safety Administration, a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice.
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 Public Safety Education Campus provides training for law enforcement and corrections officers, firefighters and EMS personnel, as well as State Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Department of Homeland Security personnel.
The next round of BLET training begins in January. Learn more about basic law enforcement training at Wake Tech.
