Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET)

 

Are you ready for a career that’s more than just a job? Do you desire to make an impact in your community and be part of a profession that utilizes your mental and physical skills to impact the lives of others positively?

If you're looking to dedicate your working life to something challenging that you can be proud of, then a career in law enforcement might be a perfect fit. The Sandhills Community College Basic Law Enforcement Training program is an excellent place to begin your career. The State of North Carolina will pay the tuition for students a local law enforcement agency sponsors. The remaining cost to the students is estimated to be $1000.00. These fees include the costs of books and uniforms. Students can contact Mrs. Coffey (coffeym@sandhills.edu) or Bob Kehoe (kehoer@sandhills.edu) if they have a financial concern about attending Basic Law Enforcement Training. In addition, Sandhills Community College may have resources available to assist students with the costs. Learn more about a career in law enforcement.

The Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program provides students with the essential skills required for entry-level employment as law enforcement officers with a state, county, municipal agency, or private sector.

This program utilizes State-Commission-mandated topics and methods of instruction. General subjects include, but are not limited to, criminal, juvenile, civil, traffic, and alcoholic beverage laws; investigative, patrol, custody, and court procedures; emergency responses; ethics and community relations. In addition, students participate in numerous hands-on and practical scenarios such as firearms, defensive tactics, law enforcement driving, and traffic law enforcement. To enhance the training, students will train in the Virtra 300, a state-of-the-art virtual simulator. Watch this video and see the simulator in action.

Students must complete and pass all the units of study mandated by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission to receive a certificate.

 

**Students successfully completing a Basic Law Enforcement Training course will receive credit for CJC-113 Juvenile Justice, CJC-120 Interviews and Interrogation, CJC-131, Criminal Law, CJC-132 Court Procedure and Evidence, and CJC-221 Investigative Principles, and CJC-231 Constitutional Law toward the Associate in Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice Technology.

 

Special Requirements

POPAT
Each potential student is required to complete a two (2) phase physical fitness test. Phase one (1) must be completed within six (6) minutes, and phase two (2) must be completed within three (3) minutes. The physical fitness testing date will be scheduled close to the packet due date. Students will be notified by e-mail when the date is set. All prospective students will meet in blue hall room 128. Students should dress in exercise clothes and running shoes.

TABE READING TESTS
Students entering BLET must demonstrate reading proficiency at the tenth (10th) grade level within twelve months of the start of the course. Sandhills Community College will offer the TABE reading test to accommodate the State requirement. We will notify students by email of the date, time, and location of the test before the beginning of the course. The test will be administered in Blue hall, room 128.

Basic Requirements

All trainees must be 20 years of age at the time of course completion. Applicants who are 19 years will be accepted into the program if they are 20 years old at the time of the State exam.

Sponsorship by a North Carolina Law Enforcement Agency is required to waive the student's tuition.

Sandhills Community College will offer the BLET program twice yearly, once in January and again in August. These classes are full-time and meet Monday through Friday and many Saturdays from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm.

Students must purchase the required textbooks and lesson plans before the first day of class. In addition, it is recommended that students have laptop computers for class. The College has limited laptops for students to use for class.

All students must be enrolled before the first day of course delivery (no enrollment after the first class begins).

Partial or limited enrolled students can enroll with a letter of authorization.

Students must complete all performance and attendance requirements to be eligible to take the comprehensive State exam. Students receive 20 college credits on completion of the program.

Background check

In addition to the required certified background checks from every place you have lived since 16 years of age, applicants must obtain a background check from the .FB.I. The following website will walk you through the steps needed to get the required background check, https://www.edo.cjis.gov/#/. The F.B.I. background report is due at least 30 days before the start of class.

 

Class Locations and Times

The Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) class is CJC 110. It awards 20 semester hours credit upon successful completion.

At BLET, there are two full-time day classes available each year. The first course begins in January and the second in August. These classes are held at the Pinehurst Campus, Monday through Friday, starting at 8 AM and ending at 5 PM. Additionally, there are some Saturday and night classes included in the program.

 

Forms for Application

Students must complete the application packet and physician's fitness certification to apply to BLET. Below are links to these forms. Students should submit their completed applications 45 days before class begins.

Click the complete packet link, and save the pdf to your computer.  Print each form.  Complete and sign each form where required, and mail or hand deliver to Bob Kehoe, School Director BLET, Blue Hall Room 127, Sandhills Community College, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst, NC  28374.

Complete Packet

Physicians Certification of Fitness

 

Program Oversight

The North Carolina Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and the North Carolina Sheriff's Education and Training Commission oversee the program.

 

Estimated Program Expenses

*Program credit hours: 20 – $76.00 per credit hour in-state tuition. Tuition for BLET is paid by the sponsoring law enforcement agency. All students must be sponsored.

 

Contact Information

Bob Kehoe
127 Blue Hall
(910) 693-2667
kehoer@sandhills.edu

Mary Lou Coffey
Records Management Specialist, Basic Law Enforcement Training
(910) 693-2667
coffeym@sandhills.edu