Because Wake Tech's Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) Academy prepares students for employment as law enforcement officers, students are expected to meet the highest standards of performance and personal behavior.

Acceptance into the academy is contingent upon meeting admissions requirements, providing health certification and verifying that all standards of the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission have been met. Any applicant who is uncertain about meeting admissions requirements should contact the program director.

Physical expectations

The academy is very demanding physically as well as mentally. BLET candidates will participate in strenuous physical fitness training at least four days per week to prepare for the Police Officer’s Physical Ability Test. The test includes running, pushups, rolling with a 100-pound grappling bag, scaling a 4-foot fence and dragging a 175-pound mannequin.

Before the first day of class, future cadets should be engaged in fitness training that combines strength, endurance and aerobic activities, and they should be able to do at least the following:

• 40 pushups in one minute
• 40 sit-ups in one minute
• 2-mile run (without stopping) in 18 minutes

Cadets should be prepared to complete this sample workout on a 400-meter track:

• Laps 1, 3, 5, 7: run at a moderate pace
• Lap 2: run 100 meters, stop at Station 1 and perform 10 jump squats; run 100 meters, stop at Station 2 and perform 10 sit-ups; run 100 meters, stop at Station 3 and perform 10 jump burpees; run 100 meters, stop at Station 4 and perform 10 pushups.
• Lap 4 same as Lap 2, with 20 reps at each station
• Lap 6 same as Lap 2, with 30 reps at each station
• Lap 8 same as Lap 2, with 40 reps at each station

Wake Tech cannot guarantee that the BLET Academy is safe or appropriate for everyone. Any liability, loss or damage occurring in connection with the exercises, instruction or advice given in the academy is expressly disclaimed. Future cadets should consult their doctors before embarking on this exercise routine. Cadets should never force nor strain during exercise and should stop exercising and seek medical attention if they experience pain or discomfort during workouts.

Minimum standards for law enforcement officer certification:

• Review the Administrative Code 12 NCAC 9B .0101/9B .0111
• The academy abides by 12 NCAC 09B .0203 "Admission of Trainees"