WCC law enforcement graduation Tuesday
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on August 6, 2007 1:45 PM
Wayne Community College will graduate its 50th Basic Law Enforcement Training, or BLET, academy on Tuesday during 6:30 p.m. ceremonies in Moffatt Auditorium.
Since 1987, nearly 800 cadets have successfully completed the program and gone on to employment in local, state and national agencies, including the FBI.
To become sworn officers in North Carolina, candidates must complete a minimum of 618 hours of training in 37 different aspects of law enforcement through an accredited program and pass the certification exam.
The latest graduation ceremony will feature a presentation highlighting the history of the academy and tributes to outstanding graduates.
One who shares a rich history with the program is its training director, Beverly Deans, who earned an associate degree in criminal justice in 1984. In addition to running the college's academy, she currently works as a deputy with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.
In 2002, she received the George E. Wilson Excellence in Education Award at the college and was a semi-finalist for the N.C. Community College System Excellence in Teaching Award. She is also a former recipient of the N.C. Law Enforcement Women's Association "Law Enforcement Woman of the Year."