By College of the Albemarle

ELIZABETH CITY — College of The Albemarle (COA) recently celebrated students completing the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program during a graduation and recognition ceremony held March 11, 2026, at the COA Performing Arts Center in Elizabeth City.
The ceremony recognized students from the Fall 2025 BLET class, who successfully completed the program’s rigorous requirements in preparation for entry-level employment as law enforcement officers.
The keynote speaker for the ceremony was Sheriff J.D. “Doug” Doughtie of the Dare
County Sheriff’s Office.
Remarks were also provided by COA President Dr. Jack Bagwell and BLET Program Director Keith Jones.
During the 25-week training program, students completed more than 868 hours of instruction, including classroom learning, physical training and practical exercises. The curriculum covers a wide range of law enforcement topics, including firearms, driving, patrol techniques, criminal investigation, emergency response and compliance and control tactics. Students must also pass a comprehensive certification examination administered by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission.

Fall 2025 BLET graduates include: Steven Benge, Chowan; Marcos Cruz, Washington; Cody Deese, Currituck; Juliana Fairweather, Pasquotank; Kevin Fountain-Capewell, Camden; Joseph Habel III, Dare; Bruce Harper Sr., Currituck; Nyla Khan, Hertford; Jason Kidd, Dare; Charles Ledbetter, Gates; Nathan McKecuen, Pasquotank; G’nasia Moore, Perquimans; Bryson Morris-Revelle, Pasquotank; Shane O’Bar, Currituck; Chandler Phillips, Pasquotank; Joseph Ranney, Camden; Nicholas Shelton, Currituck; Joshua Smith, Pasquotank; Emily Smithson, Pasquotank; Jeffery Spivey, Currituck; and Samuel Trayes, Currituck.

Partial students recognized during the ceremony include: Jeffrey Copperthite,

Chesapeake, Virginia; Mark Ellis, Dare; and James “Kelly” Jones, Dare.

Special awards were presented during the ceremony to recognize outstanding

training and academic performance.

• The Academic Excellence Award was presented to Joseph Habel III. Runner-up honors were awarded to Joshua Smith.
• The Top Gun Award was presented to Charles Ledbetter, with Joshua Smith named runner-up.
• The Iron Man and Iron Woman Award was presented to Cody Deese and G’nasia Moore.
• The Driver Supreme Award was presented to Marcos Cruz, with Samuel Trayes recognized as runner-up.
• The Flawless Exam Performance Award was presented to Jason Kidd and Joseph Ranney.
• The Law Enforcement Excellence Award, selected by peers, was presented to Charles Ledbetter.

For more information on Basic Law Enforcement Training, contact Keith Jones,

Director, Law Enforcement Training Programs, at 252-335-0821, ext. 2315 or

jeffrey_jones@albemarle.edu.

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