Law Enforcement Training
Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET)
Course Description and Overview
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 alcohol 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 which include the certification examinations 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.
Degrees Offered in Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET)
| Basic Law Enforcement Training | |
| Basic Law Enforcement Training - Certificate | C55120 43.0107 |
McDowell Technical Community College offers two Basic Law Enforcement Training programs that provide a schedule for anyone meeting the requirements to attend. The programs cover a wide variety of law enforcement training in 648 hours. The program is para-military structured. It is a very rigorous and demanding course both academically and physically.
Candidates planning to attend should begin a physical training regiment prior to attending (see a doctor for advice regarding the right physical training regiment for you).
Upon successful completion of all required instruction and testing, the candidate will be administered a comprehensive state exam by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission.
- Candidate must be 20 years of age upon entry into the program or be 19 years of age at the time of entry, be 20 years of age at the completion of the course, and have permission from the School Director and Director.
- Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission.
- Candidate must have successfully completed high school or a GED program.
- Candidate must score at least a 10th grade level on a reading placement test.
- Candidate can not have been convicted of any felony (anytime) or class B misdemeanor in the last five years.
- Candidate must be in good physical condition.
- Candidate must be a US Citizen.
The Basic Law Enforcement Training Program routinely examines new ways to save students the high cost of college. Currently, tuition is waived through agency sponsorship. Most books and lesson plans are provided through our new tablet rental program. The total fees are minimal to attend.
A law enforcement agency reviews your criminal record and signs a sponsorship form. The agency is not agreeing to pay any costs or engaging in a job offer. This sponsorship is simply a method to guarantee that students meet certain criteria and are capable of being employed by a law enforcement agency once the program is successfully completed.
Our financial aid office can be reached at (828)652-0602 or (828)652-0624. Veterans benefits are also available for the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program.
The Law Enforcement Training Center at McDowell Technical Community College offers academies that are suitable to most applicants’ needs. Throughout the year, several academies are offered. These academies include part-time classes that operate Monday-Thursday, 6:00 pm-10:00 pm and full-time classes that operate Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-6:00 pm. All academies complete approximately 680 hours. Please contact the Law Enforcement Training Center for a schedule of upcoming classes.