Aug. 24, 2026
Left to right: Capt. Rob Cantwell, Hendersonville Police Department; Capt. Trae Laws, Hendersonville Police Department; Kevin Holden, Blue Ridge Community College BLET coordinator; Rich Olsen, Blue Ridge Community College BLET school director; Dr. Monica Carpenter, Blue Ridge Community College vice president of economic and workforce development and continuing education; Chris Williams, Blue Ridge Community College dean of public safety; Garrett Gardin, Blue Ridge Community College faculty coordinator of law enforcement and public safety training; Eden De Los Rios, Blue Ridge Community College program assistant for law enforcement and public safety training; Henderson County Sheriff Lowell Griffin; and Hendersonville Police Chief Blair Myhand.
Information and photo supplied by BRCC Communications
Blue Ridge Community College recently received accreditation for several law enforcement training courses through the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission to expand the school’s ability to serve law enforcement agencies, officers, students, and communities across western North Carolina.
This accreditation allows Blue Ridge to offer basic law enforcement training (BLET) that helps prepare new law enforcement officers to meet North Carolina’s certification requirements and enter the field starting in January 2027.
In light of personnel and safety concerns in 2023, BRCC and CJ Standards paused and later suspended the BLET course in 2024 following several internal personnel and safety concerns. Since then, Blue Ridge has employed a new staff and oversight team ranging from classroom-level qualified assistants to ensure accountability and compliance within the courses.
Earlier this year, the college commissioned a series of month-long assessments through the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police to instill best practices and prepare for reaccreditation. In June 2026, an on-site inspection by CJ Standards found Blue Ridge in full compliance.
On August 14, state officials authorized Blue Ridge to add basic law enforcement training, general instructor, and speed measurement instrument courses to its commission-approved training repertoire.
“We take seriously our responsibility to provide high-quality training that meets and exceeds the rigorous standards established for law enforcement education in North Carolina,” Blue Ridge’s Dean of Public Safety Training Chris Williams said in a news release from the college. “With valuable input and encouragement from our agency partners, we have rebuilt our program from the ground up, preparing to better serve our region with excellence, accountability, and integrity.”
Williams said BRCC expects and welcomes continued inspections throughout the year and invites agency partners to engage and participate in program activities, helping ensure compliance and guide the program’s continued positive development.
“We’ve taken a comprehensive approach to rebuilding our instructional team,” added Williams. “Our efforts have focused on ensuring these new instructors are fully certified, qualified, and in good standing with the Department of Justice. This includes not only classroom instructors, but also assistant instructors and training scenario role players.”
Blue Ridge President Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood emphasized the value of consulting with law enforcement partners and the NCACP for guidance while rebuilding the previous program and shaping the development of a new, program-specific strategic plan for law enforcement training that will include enhanced oversight and an annual internal review process.
“Under the experienced leadership of our new dean of Public Safety Training, the valuable input of our partners will help shape our practices and strengthen our approach to law enforcement education,” she said. “By embracing their recommendations, we are laying a strong foundation for continuous improvement and demonstrating our commitment to the highest standards of excellence, positioning Blue Ridge and our students for long-term success.”
This fall, Blue Ridge expects to hire more than 60 experienced instructors to teach a range of law enforcement courses. This process includes engagement with community partners across the region to ensure instructors who are hired meet agency needs.
Positions at the main BRCC campus in Flat Rock and the Transylvania campus in Brevard will also be posted on the Blue Ridge website at www.blueridge.edu/careers. Information about all law enforcement training activities will be posted to www.blueridge.edu/law-enforcement.