Wayne Community College’s 84th class of cadets has graduated from Basic Law Enforcement Training. Pictured from left to right, they are: Kevin Alexander Sanchez, Nathan Michael Smith, Mark Randall Halsey, Cameron Sean Gagne (back row); Aisha Ayed Hamdan, Italivi Meleni Morales-Roblero, and Pedro Paxtian (front row).

Wayne Community College’s 84th class of cadets has graduated from Basic Law Enforcement Training. Pictured from left to right, they are: Kevin Alexander Sanchez, Nathan Michael Smith, Mark Randall Halsey, Cameron Sean Gagne (back row); Aisha Ayed Hamdan, Italivi Meleni Morales-Roblero, and Pedro Paxtian (front row).

GOLDSBORO — Wayne Community College has graduated its 84th class of Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) cadets.

The graduates received nine months of training including 868 instruction hours through the new BLET 2025 pilot program. WCC is one of 13 schools piloting the program, which will become the standard for all community colleges and agencies in the state that offer BLET.

The cadets were successful in completing the new training program and achieved a 100 percent pass rate on their state exam.

Each graduate earned a certificate that will allow them to work as a sworn law enforcement officer in North Carolina. The seven cadets, listed by their city of residence, are:

Dudley — Cameron Sean Gagne, Italivi Meleni Morales-Roblero

Goldsboro — Aisha Ayed Hamdan, Pedro Paxtian

Princeton — Mark Randall Halsey

Selma — Nathan Michael Smith

Seven Springs — Kevin Alexander Sanchez

Cadets Hamdan and Smith spoke on behalf of their class during the BLET graduation ceremony. They expressed gratitude for their families, instructors, and the role players who took part in the program’s practical exercises.

Hamdan said her classmates consistently supported one another throughout the program. “The class itself was challenging, and at the same time, it felt like we were one big family because we did it together,” she said. “We worked together, taught each other, had our ups and downs, and in the end, we achieved our goal. That is the true definition of what a team is.”

Smith also spoke about the class’s teamwork throughout the rigorous training. “This new pilot program we completed was more physically and mentally challenging than any of us ever anticipated. At some point or another, we all had to lean on each other,” he said. “Even when tensions got high, we all still stood together and persevered.”

WCC Dean of Public Safety Angie Blizzard said she appreciates seeing the growth of each cadet from day one of the program until they graduate. “I get to see them mature, and I get to see them gain a sense of knowledge that can never be taken away from them,” she shared.

During the ceremony, several awards were presented to individuals with outstanding performance in various areas.

Paxtian received the Physical Fitness Award. Throughout BLET, cadets were required to complete a Police Officer’s Physical Abilities Test and were evaluated based on the Cooper Standard for Law Enforcement Physical Assessment. Paxtian had the highest percentage in the Cooper Standard for his age group and showed the most improvement.

Smith earned the class’s Top Gun Award for his proficiency in the program’s firearms course. This year, the course went from a 48-hour block of instruction to requiring 96 hours, providing more firearms training for this class of cadets than any other that has completed the program.

The Major Jay R. Memmelaar Student Excellence Award was given to Hamdan as the student with the highest academic average who has excelled throughout the program. A check from the George D. Williams Foundation was presented along with the award. Williams was a significant supporter of public safety and law enforcement.

The Leadership Award is given to the graduate who exhibited great leadership characteristics in maintaining cohesion in the class. The award went to Halsey, who helped keep his class focused and on track to successfully graduate.

WCC Vice President of Academic and Student Services Brandon Jenkins commended the graduates for completing law enforcement training with the added challenge of piloting the new program. “It has not been an easy task. It’s been an uphill climb,” he said. “But the way that they have handled this and tackled this new challenge is one that I am proud of as the academic leader of this institution.”

WCC President Patty Pfeiffer acknowledged the development of important core values that the cadets have produced through their training. “The training you have received has prepared you for various situations, but it is your character, your judgment, and your ability to connect with the community that will truly define your success as law enforcement officers,” she said. “Remember that every interaction is an opportunity for you to make a difference.”

BLET is a state-accredited program mandated by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission through the NC Community College System.

WCC’s BLET academy has graduated around 1,200 students who work for approximately 53 different law enforcement agencies on the local, county, and state levels.