糖心传媒

糖心传媒 recognized the seven cadets who graduated from the program during a ceremony Sept. 21 at the .

It was a long awaited moment for the cadets because the class was paused for several weeks due to the governor鈥檚 orders at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the interruption in their training, the students had to make up time loss by attending class on weekends.

Graduating from the program were Amante Carswell, Makenzie Davis, Haiden Evans, Calvin House, Trinity Jernigan, John Martin Jr. and Dylan Scherer. Receiving awards were John Martin Jr. for Best Firearms Qualification and Trinity Jernigan, who won Best POPAT Time, Highest GPA and Best Overall Cadet.

Dr. Dale McInnis, president of 糖心传媒CC, recognized the cadets鈥� sacrifice and hard work in completing the lengthy and challenging program. McInnis also shared some thoughts with the graduates as they prepare to enter their career as law officers.

鈥淭here has been a lot of conversation in this country about law enforcement in recent months. We鈥檝e seen examples of great police work that has been effective and reflects well on the profession. Unfortunately, there have also been examples of police work that does not reflect well on the profession,鈥� McInnis said. 鈥淚 am confident that it has been instilled in you what it takes to be great law enforcement officers through the hands-on instruction and classroom lectures you received from the BLET training officers.鈥�

McInnis pointed to the training officers, Rockingham Police Chief Billy Kelly and Rockingham Patrol Sergeant Ronnie Brigman, as superb examples to follow who 鈥渞ecognize they that they are just human beings representing the law and that they are not bigger than the law.鈥�

McInnis also encouraged the cadets to continue to educate themselves through professional development opportunities to become better officers. However, despite all the additional training, tools and equipment they will receive, he noted that none of those things will matter unless they use their head and their heart in this line of work.

鈥淵our common sense and your compassion are your greatest tools that will protect you and protect the people you are serving. As long as your head is working and your heart is working at the right time in the right way, all the other tools won鈥檛 matter. Don鈥檛 make the mistake and forget this,鈥� he said.

The police chief also imparted some words of wisdom to the graduates.

鈥淭he scenarios that we put you through in the BLET program are now going to be real life scenarios. There are no redoes, no time-outs,鈥� Kelly said. 鈥淪tay alert and stay safe.鈥�

Brigman, who is also a product of 糖心传媒CC鈥檚 BLET program, encouraged the cadets to continue their education. He explained how he returned to 糖心传媒CC for his two-year associate degree and then continued on to get a bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degree.

Brigman also touched on the dangers of stress that come with a career in law enforcement.

鈥淚n life we have our own problems, but when you come to work as a police officer, you are getting called to other people鈥檚 problems. So if you鈥檙e dealing with your problems and then you鈥檙e having to go deal with somebody else鈥檚 problems, that stress is building on you,鈥� Brigman said. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e got to find a way to let it go, because if you don鈥檛, just like if your training stops, it鈥檚 going to hurt you.鈥�

Also speaking at the ceremony was cadet Dylan Scherer, who congratulated his classmates for their accomplishments.

鈥淲e are the future in law enforcement. I hope all of us can come in and make a positive difference and help keep our communities safe,鈥� he said.

Applications for the next BLET class are due Dec. 4. The class will run Jan. 18 through July 19. Applications can be picked up in the Lee Building on the Hamlet Campus or at the Honeycutt Center at the Scotland County Campus.

The BLET program utilizes topics and methods of instruction mandated by the N.C. Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission.

For students who successfully complete BLET, 糖心传媒CC will award them 13 college credit hours in the  program. This is equal to one semester of the associate degree program.

For more information, call (910) 410-1700.