Contact Tameka Kenan-Norman
Executive Director of Public Information and Institutional Advancement
Edgecombe Community College
2009 W. Wilson St.
Tarboro, NC 27886
(252) 618-6560
kenannormant@edgecombe.edu

ECC’s Basic Law Enforcement Training graduates ready to serve

Pictured l-r, front row: Dr. Mark Dickens, chaplain, Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office; Tiffany Lawrence; Jaiydah Daniels; Amber Jones and Austin Glenn Second row: Bernie Taylor, school director, ECC BLET; Cole Stewart; Markel Freeman; Sean Bailey; Tyner Bell; Michael Rawlins and Al Braxton, assistant to school director, ECC BLET

“This is a big day for us,” said Cole Stewart during the graduation ceremony for the 16^th Basic Academy for Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) at Edgecombe Community College. “As it says in our code of ethics, our fundamental duty is to serve the community. We have been given an enormous power and responsibility to give our hearts and minds to the people that we serve,” continued the academy’s platoon leader.

Stewart was one of nine who graduated from the academy on Nov. 25. The graduates gathered in the Fleming Building on ECC’s Tarboro campus, surrounded by friends, family and officers from partnering law enforcement agencies who encouraged them throughout their arduous journey.

“We’re so proud of our graduates,” commented Dr. Greg McLeod, ECC president. “We know it was not easy. In fact, this program is one of the hardest, if not the hardest program mentally, physically and also emotionally that you can take at any community college. We’re grateful to you for having chosen us and for having chosen this profession.”

The BLET Academy at ECC prepares students for entry-level employment as a law enforcement officer with state, county or municipal agencies. This preparation includes training in high-risk calls, crisis intervention, as well as tests on tasers, pepper spray and expandable batons. According to Bernie Taylor, BLET school director, cadets commenced the 25-week class on June 9, 2025.

There were “long grueling days, endless hours of studying for tests, physical training rituals that began every morning at 5:15 a.m., and the countless practical scenarios every cadet has to complete,” recalled Taylor.

Thanks to Taylor and 47 instructors on the BLET training staff, all nine cadets passed the state comprehensive certification examination, and all nine have been hired by seven different law enforcement agencies.

The following graduated from ECC’s BLET Academy and have been hired by the law enforcement agencies listed beside their name. 

Sean Bailey, Winterville Police Department

Tyner Bell, Tarboro Police Department

Jaiydah Daniels, Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office

Markel Freeman, Bertie County Sheriff’s Office

Austin Glenn, Farmville Police Department

Amber Jones, Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office

Tiffany Lawrence, Bertie County Sheriff’s Office

Michael Rawlins, Pitt County Sheriff’s Office

Cole Stewart, Belhaven Police Department