Policy Statement

College of The Albemarle (COA) offers the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program as a full-time day and part-time night cadet school. Each applicant will meet minimum standards for employment as established by the North Carolina Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and/or the North Carolina Sheriff’s Education and Training Standard Commission.

State guidelines require that a minimum of 10 students must meet all eligibility requirements, and have been properly registered in a BLET class by the first class meeting. If for any reason, fewer than 10 students are properly registered and fees cleared by the first class meeting, then the class, as required by state guidelines, must be canceled. In addition, per state guidelines, no student is permitted to enroll in the class after the first class meeting. The Training Standards Commission must approve any student that needs to be a limited enrollee in the BLET program prior to the beginning of the school.

Admissions Requirements

1. 12 NCAC 09B .0101 Minimum Standards for Criminal Justice Officers
   Every criminal justice officer employed by an agency in North Carolina shall:
   1. Be a citizen of the United States
   2. Be at least 20 years of age
   3. Be of good moral character pursuant to G.S. 17C-10 and as determined by a thorough background investigation
2. 12 NCAC 09B .0111 Minimum Standards for Law Enforcement Officers
   In addition to the requirements for criminal justice officers contained in Rule .0101 of this Section, every law enforcement officer employed by an agency in North Carolina shall:
   1. Not have committed or convicted 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 defined as a “Class B misdemeanor” within the five-year period prior to the date of application for employment
      4. Four or more crimes or unlawful acts defined as “Class B misdemeanors” regardless of the date of conviction
      5. Four or more crimes or unlawful acts defined as “Class A misdemeanors” except the applicant may be employed if the last conviction occurred more than two years prior to the date of application for employment
   2. Be a high school graduate or have passed the General Educational Development Test indicating high school equivalency
3. COA Requirements
1. The applicant must fill out an application for admission to COA. Official high school and/or college transcripts should be sent to the admissions office.
2. Must provide a copy of valid North Carolina Driver’s License.
3. You’ll need to take the CASA reading test. A 10th-grade reading level (a score of 244 or higher) is required for admission into the BLET program. The testing site is located at COA – Elizabeth City in the Testing Center and may be scheduled through the BLET office. The test must be taken within a year of admission to the program. This test is required — no exceptions.
4. Provide an official copy of an accredited high school transcript(s) and official college transcripts to the admissions office. Applicant must be able to provide copies of unofficial college transcripts to the school Director and official copies to the admissions office.
5. The applicant must provide a copy of their birth certificate. If you were not born a United States citizen, you must provide a copy of your naturalization
   certificate.
6. Must provide a certified original copy of the applicant’s criminal record for each county and state they have lived (and for military personnel, attended training or been stationed) since age 16. Must provide a certified original copy of the applicant’s criminal record check from any military branch the applicant has served in from all stationed duties.
7. The applicant must provide a copy of a DD-214 form if the applicant has military service.
8. The applicant must have a law enforcement agency’s sponsorship letter. This is a recommendation letter only. This letter doesn’t promise the applicant a job nor promise payment of fees or supplies.
9. The applicant must be examined and certified by a North Carolina licensed physician or surgeon, to meet the physical requirements necessary to perform the functions of a law enforcement officer. A physician must fill out the two-state forms (the F-1 and F-2) completely.
10. The applicant must complete an F-3 Personal History Statement (PDF). Completely and accurately complete this item as this will become part of your career record as a law enforcement officer. Any sections that don’t apply to the student must be marked with “N/A” or “Not Applicable.”
11. The applicant must provide a copy of high school diploma or equivalent GED).

Note: Any applicant who is uncertain whether or not he/she meets the admissions requirements stated above should contact the school Director at 252-335-0821.

Admission Interview

After all the paperwork is complete, the BLET Director interviews each applicant. The interview determines if the applicant meets the minimum standards for employment as established by the North Carolina Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and/or the North Carolina Sheriff’s Education and Training Standards Commission. It is necessary to make sure that the applicant is free of conviction of any crimes (civilian or military; driving while impaired or under the influence, or major motor vehicle law infractions) and to determine if the disposition of such charges is pending. The BLET school Director reserves the right to deny entry into the program based on criminal charges or convictions and the moral character of the student.

Tuition and Fees/Waiver Requirement

Obtaining a sponsorship letter is mandatory for admission into the COA’s BLET program. This sponsorship letter doesn’t guarantee the student a job upon graduation from that agency. The sponsoring agency may revoke the sponsorship at any time, immediately removing a student from the BLET program. The sponsoring agency will conduct additional background checks. Program participants may be eligible for financial aid and must consult the Financial Aid office for further information.

Students employed by a law enforcement agency must submit a letter from that agency certifying employment in order for a waiver of tuition fees. Submission of this letter to the Director is necessary in order for the student to register for the BLET program.

Medical Evaluation

Prior to enrollment in the BLET program, each applicant must have been examined and certified by a physician in order to verify that he/she meets the necessary physical requirements involved in this program. The physician must fill out two forms. You can get these forms from the school Director after your other items have been turned into the BLET office. Since the applicant will pay the cost of the physical, it’s not recommended that the applicant take the physical unless he/she is reasonably sure that he/she meets the minimum standards for employment by a law enforcement agency in North Carolina. Anyone who is uncertain whether he/she meets the minimum requirements should contact the BLET school Director at 252-335-0821.

Physical Ability

Students are expected to run, drag a 175 pound “victim,” perform 40 push-ups, maneuver 100 pounds of dead weight, scale a four-foot fence, navigate under a two-foot apparatus, and demonstrate the ability to step up and down 30 times.

Completion of the Application Process

Completed BLET packets must be returned to the BLET Administrative Assistant located in room FC129 at COA – Elizabeth City. An applicant may address questions regarding the application packet to the Director at 252-335-0821 ext. 2315 or to the Administrative Assistant at 252-335-0821 ext. 2210. When the applicant has provided all of the required information and the packet is completed, an interview with the Director will be scheduled. All required items must be completed before the set deadline for the student to be able to enter the BLET program. Each class will have a preset date that will serve as the last day for the student to have all forms and other entry events completed. If the student doesn’t have all the required items finished by this date, the student won’t be allowed into the class. The student may and will be considered for the next scheduled class.

The BLET school director’s office is located in room FC 131 at COA – Elizabeth City. Students may contact the Director at 252-335-0821 ext. 2210 to make an on-campus appointment.

Revised: Oct. 30, 2018

Contact