All Western Carolina University police officers must successfully complete the North
Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) Program before they are allowed to perform
law enforcement duties. The BLET Program is a State accredited program designed to
prepare entry level individuals with the cognitive and physical skills to become certified North
Carolina law enforcement officers. The course is comprised of thirty-five separate
blocks of instruction. Additionally, graduates of the BLET Program must successfully
pass a comprehensive, statewide examination before obtaining law enforcement certification
from the North Carolina Attorney General's Office.
The Western Carolina University Police Department supports the BLET Programs at Southwestern Community College and Haywood Community College.
BLET Sponsorship
Each year, the Western Carolina University Police Department provides a limited number of sponsorships to the BLET Program. Individuals desiring to obtaining a sponsorship to a BLET Program should contact the Assistant Chief of Police at 828.227.7301 as soon as possible but no less than at least two months before the start of the BLET Program. Individuals desiring sponsorship must successfully pass a background investigation before receiving such sponsorship. Individuals are responsible for all costs associated with the background investigation and BLET Program. The issuing of a sponsorship is not a guarantee of employment with the Western Carolina University Police Department.
Internships
The Western Carolina University Police Department partners with the criminal justice academic programs at Western Carolina University, Southwestern Community College, and Haywood Community College to provide internship opportunities. Prospective interns must apply the semester before they intend to begin the internship. Applications may be obtained through the Administrative Lieutenant who may be contacted at 828.227.3201.