RALEIGH, N.C. (June 13, 2013) — After months of strenuous training – both mental and physical – 27 students graduated from Wake Tech’s Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program. The ceremony was held at Wake Tech’s Public Safety Education Campus.

BLET includes 744 hours of training, with 54 instructors and more than 40 exams. Trainees must also pass the Police Officers Physical Ability Test (POPAT), which includes an intense, timed series of search and rescue, physical agility, and mental alertness activities.

The graduating class included students from the night class that started last August and the day class that began in January. Daniel Knowles, Night Class President, said Wake Tech’s BLET training was a “rite of passage in a state-of-the-art facility.” Day Class First Sergeant Jeremy Soule spoke about the bond he formed with fellow students: “There are only two kinds of people who truly understand what it’s like to be a law enforcement officer – officers and criminals.”

Cary Chief of Police and Wake Tech alum Pat Bazemore addressed the graduates, celebrating their achievement and speaking passionately about the values and ethics that must be part of their work. “Public Safety is a career with a higher calling,” Bazemore said. “You must uphold the trust of the public, and never compromise your integrity.”

Graduates received awards in the following categories:

JOHNNY BLACKMAN PHYSICAL FITNESS AWARD

Day Class: Daniel S. Basler

Night Class: Justin L. Jones-Allen

BEST AVERAGE POPAT SCORES

Day Class: Daniel S. Basler

Night Class: Justin L. Jones-Allen

FIREARMS AWARD

Day Class: Jeremy T. Soule

Night Class: Tyler G. Leithead

ACADEMICS AWARD

Day Class: Daniel S. Basler

Night Class: Judy G. Benitez

MONIQUE MITCHELL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

BLET graduate Jeremy Soule received this special award, established in memory of the daughter of Mr. Gerald Mitchell, Wake Tech’s Executive Vice President. The scholarship assists BLET cadets who demonstrate discipline, integrity, and leadership qualities. They must be 25 or older, in good academic standing with at least a 90% GPA, and on track to graduate.

Wake Tech Dean of Public Safety Training Angela Mizelle encouraged graduates to make a positive impact with their leadership influence. “You have the ability to protect the weak. Don’t just pride yourself on being great officers – be great people.”

To learn more about Basic Law Enforcement Training at Wake Tech, visit continue.waketech.edu or call 919-866-6104.