Fourteen students graduate from Basic Law Enforcement Training

By: Mike Gavin
Published: December 19, 2023

Fourteen students graduated from Basic Law Enforcement Training at Isothermal Community College this week. Pictured are program director Philip Bailey (left to right), instructor Chris Francis, Mark J. Conte, Gabriel M. Fowler, Owen M. Wilson, Tanner A. Boone, Garry Ankrom, Jr., Harold W. Edmisten, Mark A. McComas II, Jason R. Wease, Christopher D. Hall, Mason G. McSwain, Andrew S. Price, Michael R. McAbee, Rylan T. Champion-Toms, Devon W. Carr, and Ava Yamouti, dean of Health and Public Services.

 

SPINDALE (Dec. 19, 2023) – Fourteen students graduated from the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program at Isothermal Community College on Tuesday evening after completing nearly ten months of training.

The BLET program is the state-mandated course of study for anyone interested in becoming a certified law enforcement officer. The students who completed the program were trained in 35 topics including criminal law, arrest, search, and seizure, driver training, defense tactics, firearms, and other related law enforcement topics.

The students who earned a graduation certificate for the 660-hour training program are Garry Ankrom, Jr., Tanner A. Boone, Devon W. Carr, Rylan T. Champion-Toms, Mark J. Conte, Jr., Harold W. Edmisten, Gabriel M. Fowler, Christopher D. Hall, Michael R. McAbee, Mark A. McComas II, Mason G. McSwain, Andrew S. Price, Jason R. Wease, and Owen M. Wilson.

The students were honored in a ceremony that began with an invocation and the national anthem, led by Stephen Matheny, Isothermal’s chief operating officer.  President Margaret Annunziata welcomed the audience.

Chief Chris LeRoy of the Forest City Police Department delivered the commencement address to the students.

Then, Philip Bailey, the BLET program director, and instructor Chris Francis presented certificates and awards.

Ava Yamouti, dean of Health and Public Services, made the closing remarks.

All graduates earned certificates in Basic Law Enforcement Training, ASP/Baton, Taser and Pepper Spray.

Christopher David Hall earned the award for the Top Academic Award and the Highest State Exam Award. Harold W. Edmisten earned the Most Improved PE Award. Garry E. Ankrom, Jr., earned the Top Firearms Award. Mark John Conte was recognized with the Standard of Excellence Award.

This is the 85th BLET class to graduate from Isothermal Community College since it began conducting the training in the late 1970s.   

The next BLET class begins soon. Many local law enforcement agencies are providing financial assistance for student. For information, contact Brenda McFarland at 828-395-1668 or Bailey at 828-395-1644.