Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) provides future officers with the essential skills needed to perform on the job as a law enforcement officer. The program uses state commission-mandated topics and methods of instruction.
The Basic Law Enforcement Training program at SPCC is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed for entry-level employment as law enforcement officers.
For complete details, please read the BLET Information Packet very carefully.
Admission requirements:
Applicants for admission to the BLET program must:
- Score a minimum of 10th grade reading level on the CASAS Reading Test completed at the 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. 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.
- b. 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.
- c. 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.
- d. 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. SPCC 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.
Course work emphasizes:
- Community relations
- Emergency response
- Ethics
- Investigation
- Laws
- Procedures
Mandatory information sessions:
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: Mandatory Information Sessions Calendar
For questions, please contact:
Mike Smith, Director BLET, jsmith@spcc.edu or 704-290-5884
Mark Coan, Qualified Assistant BLET and In-Service Law Enforcement Coordinator, mcoan@spcc.edu or 704-290-5247
Kim Gilmore, Program Coordinator for Law Enforcement, kgilmore@spcc.edu or 704-290-5240
