Basic Law Enforcement Training, Certificate

C55120  Total credit hours: 20

Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) is designed to give students essential skills required for entry-level employment as law enforcement officers with state, county, or municipal governments, or with private enterprise.

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; and ethics and community relations.

Students must successfully complete and pass all 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.

Upon successful completion of this program, the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of criminal, juvenile, civil, traffic, and alcoholic beverage control laws.
2. Demonstrate proficiency in defensive tactics, first responder, law enforcement driving, physical fitness, and firearms techniques.
3. Demonstrate proper criminal investigation and traffic accident investigation procedures.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of effective officer interaction with victims, citizens, and special populations.
5. Demonstrate proper law enforcement patrol techniques.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of accepted custody procedures.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of proper court procedures.

Technical Standards

In addition to DCCC requirements and course objectives, there are technical standards that encompass communication, motor skills, sensory and cognitive ability, and professional conduct that are essential for the competent study and practice of Basic Law Enforcement. These technical standards are available from the academic advisor or the director for BLET. Basic Law Enforcement Training Technical Standards  (PDF)

Admission Requirements

The following are admissions criteria for applicants to the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program. Applicants for admission to the BLET Program must:

1. Have completed and submitted to the Admissions Office a college application for admission.
2. Have completed the College’s assessment process and achieved acceptable scores.
3. 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. Official high school transcript or copy of AHS Diploma/GED® Certificate must be on file in the Admissions Office.
4. Meet the minimum standards for employment as established by the N.C. Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and/or the N.C. Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission which include:
   1. be a citizen of the United States;
   2. be at least 20 years of age (must be 20 years of age as of the first day of class or have prior written authorization from the Director of the Criminal Justice Standards Division if less than 20 years old);
   3. be of good moral character; and
   4. be examined and certified by a licensed physician or surgeon to meet the physical requirements necessary to perform the functions of a law enforcement officer.
5. Have not ever committed or been convicted of any of the following:
   1. a felony;
   2. a crime for which the punishment could have been imprisonment for more than two years;
   3. 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;
   4. four or more crimes or unlawful acts described in “c” above regardless of the date of occurrence; or
   5. four or more crimes or unlawful acts for which the punishment could have been imprisonment for less than six months.
6. Be sponsored for Basic Law Enforcement Training by a Law Enforcement Agency. NOTE: Sponsorship must be retained throughout the BLET program for the student to remain enrolled.
7. Be interviewed by the Director of the BLET Program, or the Associate Dean, Health, Wellness & Public Safety, or their designee.
8. Have signed and submitted the Statement of Understanding Concerning Acceptance for Basic Law Enforcement Training.
9. Possess a valid North Carolina driver’s license.

NOTE: Meeting all admission requirements does not guarantee placement into the BLET program.

Special legal requirements exist which may limit the ability of an individual to obtain pre-employment experience, employment, or licensure in this field. Prospective students should obtain additional information from a program faculty member prior to seeking admission.

Students enrolled in Basic Law Enforcement Training must agree and adhere to supplemental Student Code of Conduct specific to the program.

Students who hold the Probationary Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Officer certification or general certification and who have successfully completed Basic Law Enforcement Training will receive 19 semester hours of credit toward the Associate in Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice. Students will receive credit for the following courses: CJC 121 , CJC 131 , CJC 132 , CJC 221 , CJC 231 , CJC 232  .