A-B Tech’s Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program celebrated 15 new law enforcement officers on Thursday, July 18. The graduates were honored in a ceremony at the A-B Tech/Mission Health Conference Center that drew a crowd of friends, family, and local law enforcement agencies.
A-B Tech BLET instructor and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Dr. Chris Campbell was the guest speaker. The class address was given by graduating Morgan Roldan, who also received the class Trailblazer Award.
BLET Director Daryl Fisher emphasized the graduates’ hard work, pointing out that they made it through 22 weeks of training where they spent up to 50 hours per week taking a mix of written exams, physical tests and skills assessments, which include firearms, driving and self-defense.
“We try our best to design our graduation ceremony as a celebration of the hard work, persistence, growth, and achievement for each student,” Fisher said. Most of the graduates are employed by area law enforcement agencies or have offers, he noted.
Five graduates were highlighted for their outstanding achievements during the six-month program.
Anna Rohde took home both Highest Grade Point Average and Highest Exam Score. Rohde, who works as a park ranger at Gorges State Park and previously earned a BFA in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), said she’s thrilled to have received awards, but even more proud of her classmates for meeting their academic goals.
As part of training, BLET students must take multiple tests that require a minimum of four hours to complete. The majority of this year’s BLET students were new to college and struggled with the intensive test preparation. Rohde, who also teaches as part of her park ranger job, created study guides that helped her classmates practice the test questions and material in advance.
“I truly believe Anna's efforts greatly helped students when testing,” Fisher said. The class achieved a 100 percent passing rate on their state licensure exam.
This year’s award winners were:
• Top Gun: Brandon Townsend
• Most improved Physical Fitness: Jeremiah Warren
• Highest Grade Point Average: Anna Rohde
• Highest State Exam Score: Anna Rohde
• Trailblazer Award: Morgan Roldan
• Best Instructor: Scott Pruett
Learn more about A-B Tech's BLET program at abtech.edu/BLET.