RALEIGH, N.C. (June 13, 2023) – A new round of highly trained law enforcement officers will soon be on patrol to protect communities in Wake County and beyond. Wake Tech celebrated the graduation of 35 cadets from the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) Academy during a ceremony at the Southern Wake Campus. The graduates received certificates and awards in front of proud family and friends.
Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls congratulated the cadets for their choice to join the law enforcement profession.
“Your work, perseverance and dedication has led you to this graduation day,” said Dr. Ralls. “The commitment to law enforcement is not for the faint of heart. Thank you for having the courage to make our communities safer.”
Wake Tech’s rigorous BLET program includes 768 hours of training and cadets are required to pass the Police Officers Physical Ability Test (POPAT), a timed series of search and rescue, physical agility, and mental alertness drills.
Six cadets received awards for their accomplishments:
Highest Academic Award – Ryan Rogers, Rachel Miller
Johnny Blackman Physical Fitness Award – Fredyi Lopez, William Hall
Highest Firearms Average Top Gun Award – Joshua Pogroszewski, Michael Satterfield
Best Police Officers Physical Ability Test (POPAT) – James Gainey, William Hall
Wake Tech also recognized graduate Fabienne Pierre 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 in 2021. Officer Hayworth’s parents were on hand to present Pierre with the award named after their son.
Cadet William Hall, who is also class sergeant, praised his fellow graduates.
“It’s hard to believe we have finally finished after all those late nights and long hours of training. Once we walk out the door it will be real – we did it!
Cary Police Chief Terry Sult was the guest speaker for the event and offered graduates some advice.
“Every day before you begin your shift remember the oath you have made to protect and serve. Welcome to the family of the shield.”
Chief Sult, who has served in law enforcement for more than 40 years, including 27 years with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, became Cary’s Police Chief in 2022 after a nation-wide search.
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 SBI and Homeland Security personnel.
The college is currently building a state-of-the-art Public Safety Simulation Complex at its future Eastern Wake 4.0 training site to offer a real-life setting for training first responders. The new facility should open next year.
The next round of BLET training begins in July. Learn more about basic law enforcement training at Wake Tech.
May 2023
