A group of South Piedmont BLET students marching in formation.

Basic Law Enforcement Training(BLET)

Skills Development

We’ll Prepare You to Protect and Serve

South Piedmont is a state-recognized leader in law enforcement training. Our program has long served as a model for law enforcement training programs across North Carolina, and our graduates are in demand by agencies throughout Anson and Union counties — and beyond.

Why start or continue your law enforcement training at South Piedmont? You’ll learn from accomplished law enforcement professionals in a state-of-the-art law enforcement training suite.

Plus, our classes are small, making it easy for you to build relationships with your fellow trainees and learn from their vast array of personal and professional experiences.

Are you ready to join the proud ranks of South Piedmont’s law enforcement training alumni? Let’s get started.

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The Program Options

20 Weeks
Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) teaches essential skills needed to perform on the job as an entry-level law enforcement officer. The program uses state commission-mandated topics and methods of instruction.

Mandatory information sessions:
Anyone wishing to enroll in the Basic Law Enforcement Training program must attend a mandatory information session. 

Accredited


We are accredited by the NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and the NC Sheriff’s Education and Training Standards Commission.

11%


An 11% increase in police and sheriff’s patrol officer jobs is expected in Anson and Union counties through 2034. (Lightcast data, 2024)

2


We offer two daytime BLET Academies per year. The spring academy begins in January, and the fall academy begins in July. We do not currently offer a nighttime academy.

Admission Requirements & Information

  • Score a minimum of 10th-grade reading level on the CASAS Reading Test completed at the Mandatory Information Session
  • Have graduated from high school or have an Adult High School Diploma or have passed the GED with an equivalency certificate, which meets the minimum requirements set by the State of North Carolina 
  • Meet the minimum standards for employment as established by the NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and/or the NC Sheriff’s Education and Training Standards Commission which include: 
    • Be a citizen of the United States 
    • Be at least 20 years of age 
    • Be of good moral character 
    • Have not ever committed or been convicted of any of the following: 
      • A felony 
      • A crime for which the punishment could have been imprisonment for more than two years 
      • A crime or unlawful act for which the punishment could have been imprisonment for more than six months but less than two years and the crime or unlawful act occurred within the last five years 
      • Four or more crimes or unlawful acts described above regardless of the date of occurrence 
      • Four or more crimes or unlawful acts for which the punishment could have been imprisonment for less than six months 
  • Be sponsored or employed by a NC public law enforcement agency prior to enrollment and maintain that sponsorship/employment throughout the course 
  •  Provide one of the following types of record checks 12 NCAC 09b .0203 (h): 
    • A certified criminal record check for local and state records for each county the student has lived since the age of 18, and certified court documentation for each criminal conviction. “Certified court documentation” and “record check” mean a document with either a raised seal or other visible verification that the document is authentic as a copy of the court’s official record as authorized by law. 
    • A written notification, known as a “Criminal Record Conviction History for B.L.E.T. Enrollment,” Form F-25, … from a department head stating that a criminal record check for local and state records has been conducted and no criminal convictions were found that prohibit the individual trainee’s enrollment in a presentation of the Basic Law Enforcement Training Course. 
    • NC Right to Review: If the student has only resided in North Carolina since obtaining the age of majority, provide a fingerprint-based criminal history background check known as a “Right to Review” performed by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. “Resided in” means any place the student has lived, worked, attended school, or participated in an internship. The student shall also provide certified court documentation for each criminal conviction. 
    • Federal Right to Review: A fingerprint-based criminal history background check known as a “Right to Review” performed by a federal agency including all locations where the trainee has lived since obtaining the age of 18. The student shall also provide certified court documentation for each criminal conviction 
  • Provide current medical examination report forms F-1 (Medical History) and F-2 (Medical Examination). Satisfactory health documented by a physician is mandatory for acceptance into the program. 
  • Possess and provide a photocopy of a valid driver’s license 
  • Possess and provide a photocopy of a valid Social Security card 
  • Provide a certified copy of his/her birth certificate 

Students successfully completing a BLET training course accredited by the NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and the NC Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission will receive credit for CJC 131, CJC 132, CJC 221, and CJC 231. Students must successfully complete the training course and the state certification examination to receive credit for these courses. Students must have completed BLET training since 1985. South Piedmont only ensures acceptance of these transfer credits to its Associate in Applied Science–Criminal Justice Technology degree, diploma, and certificate programs. These transfer credits may or may not be accepted by a four-year institution to which a student intends to transfer.

Anyone wishing to enroll in the Basic Law Enforcement Training program must attend a mandatory information session.  To enroll in a mandatory information session, click on the following link:  

We Teach Beyond the Book

At South Piedmont, our experienced law enforcement training instructors draw from their decades on the force, sharing real-life scenarios and insights to prepare you for situations you may encounter in your own career.

Our Basic Law Enforcement Training coursework emphasizes community relations, emergency responses, ethics, investigations, laws, and procedures, ensuring you have the tactical and interpersonal skills, as well as the big-picture understanding of law enforcement’s role in our society, to be effective at your future agency.

After you graduate, you can continue to build your skills through our wide variety of in-service trainings. Your BLET credits will also transfer into South Piedmont’s Criminal Justice Technology degree, diploma, and certificate programs.

Police Academy Ceremony with student holding flag at attention.
Officer Samantha Kodack in front of Law Enforcement sign.

Training for the “Real World” of Law Enforcement

On Aug, 7, 2023, I started my journey at South Piedmont’s Basic Law Enforcement Training program. As the weeks went by, I was met with encouragement, confidence, and faith by the director and instructors. Not only did they believe in me, but they prepared me so well for the ‘real world.’ Because of them, I turned into the best version of myself, which in turn, allowed me to flourish in my calling to be a police officer.

Waxhaw Police Officer Samantha Kodack, South Piedmont BLET Fall 2023 Class 47

Get Ready for What Comes Next

Our SP | Career Connector will help you build your resume, prepare for job interviews, and even connect you to hiring managers in our area.

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Get in Touch

We’re excited to talk to you about your future and how we can help you reach your goals. Reach out today!