Law enforcement class graduates from Wayne Community College
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on December 21, 2005 1:45 PM
Wayne Community College graduated its 47th Basic Law Enforcement Training Class during ceremonies on Dec. 15.
The 14 cadets who completed the college's academy received certificates to work as sworn law enforcement officers in North Carolina.
Certificates were conferred on Christopher Kimbrell, Anthony Ravine, Eva Scott, Kevin Smith, William Stern, and Pascal Tucker, all of Goldsboro; James Jones and Matthew Strickland of Mount Olive; Joshua McCall of Rosewood; Blake Ferrell and Jesse Santifort of Pikeville; Joshua Earp of Eureka; Michael Jarman of LaGrange; and Joshua Smith of Mount Olive.
Tucker and Stern were recognized for serving as the class leader and co-leader. Program director Beverly Deans said that the cadets' professional demeanor was due to their leadership.
Kevin Smith demonstrated the most overall proficiency in use of firearms and was presented the "Top Gun" award by Capt. Willie Brinson of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, an instructor in the program. The Physical Fitness Award went to Ravine. In presenting the award, Sgt. Ken Turcotte, a retired officer with the Goldsboro Police Department, noted that three cadets, Stern, McCall and Ravine, having earned the superior rating on assessments and agility. Jones earned valedictorian honors by demonstrating excellence in the practical and academic areas of law enforcement.
In addition to recognizing top graduates, Wayne County Sheriff Carey Winders and Goldsboro Police Chief Tim Bell joined Ms. Deans to honor Dr. Kay Albertson, WCC vice-president of academic affairs and student services, for her support of the law enforcement training program. They presented her with a clock and an appreciation plaque bearing the likeness of Wayne County Sheriff's deputy and Goldsboro Police Department officer badges.
"We depend on this college to train personnel that we feel are fit to be law enforcement personnel in this county," Bell said.
Since its inception as a curriculum program in 1987, the college's academy has graduated 761 cadets who are now employed with 43 different agencies. It is accredited by the N.C. Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and N.C. Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission through the N.C. Community College System.
WCC will start its 48th academy, an evening program, on Jan. 9, and will offer another evening session beginning next August. For more information and to obtain a registration/application packet, contact Ms. Deans at 735-5151 or bdeans@waynecc.edu.