The inaugural graduates of the University of North Carolina System Police Academy, who were recognized during the academy’s June 12 graduation ceremony, held at Samarcand Training Academy in Jackson Springs. Pictured from left to right, top row to bottom row: Jack Martin, Jonathan Hess, Cody Holt, Jacob Hess, Jaylin Ward, Christopher Officer, Samuel Hoskins, Gavin Thomas, Adison Singleton, Mark Moore, Gianna De La Cruz, Cadence Wittman, Angelina Margaria, Amy Escobar, Siena Healy and Ella Arndt. Photo by Lawrence Smith
BOONE, N.C. — Sixteen recruits, including 14 Appalachian State University students, successfully completed North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) this summer, becoming inaugural graduates of the University of North Carolina System Police Academy. The recruits were honored during the academy’s graduation ceremony, held in June at Samarcand Training Academy in Jackson Springs.
App State Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Johnny Brown praised the recruits’ milestone achievement and work ethic.
“The graduates exemplified outstanding commitment, perseverance and professionalism throughout this demanding training,” said Brown. “I am incredibly proud of the dedication each student demonstrated — not only to our program, but to the profession of law enforcement and the communities they will serve. I have no doubt they will carry these values forward as they begin their careers.”
Samarcand Training Academy Training Coordinator Joe Birchett, far left, presents the Top Driver Award to App State junior criminal justice major Mark Moore at the UNC System Police Academy’s inaugural graduation ceremony, held June 12 at Samarcand Training Academy in Jackson Springs. Photo by Lawrence Smith
Samarcand Training Academy Training Coordinator Joe Birchett, left, presents class leader and App State junior Siena Healy with her certificate of UNC System Police Academy completion on June 12, during the academy’s inaugural graduation ceremony at Samarcand Training Academy in Jackson Springs. Photo by Lawrence Smith
The new UNC System Police Academy, which launched earlier this year, is conducted in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s Samarcand Training Academy and Sandhills Community College, which coordinates BLET instruction. It offers a training environment for police officers to develop their skills for the unique needs of campus environments.
“It gives us the opportunity to prepare officers with a common understanding of the campus environment and the expectations that come with serving our students, faculty and staff,” said UNC System Vice President for Enterprise Risk Management Frederick Sellers.
Pictured at the University of North Carolina System Police Academy graduation ceremony, held June 12 at Samarcand Training Academy in Jackson Springs, are inaugural academy graduates (left to right in foreground) Ella Arndt, Gianna De La Cruz, Amy Escobar, Siena Healy, Jacob Hess, Jonathan Hess, Cody Holt, Samuel Hoskins, Angelina Margaria, Jack Martin, (left to right in background) Christopher Officer, Adison Singleton, Gavin Thomas and Jaylin Ward. Photo by Lawrence Smith
The App State students completed the academy as part of the university’s Appalachian Police Officer Development Program (APDP) — a program available to all full-time App State students pursuing any academic major or course of study. After graduating from the academy, graduates work part time with the Appalachian Police Department (APD) as sworn officers until they graduate from App State with their degrees, gaining invaluable on-the-job law enforcement experience.
Academy class leader and App State junior Siena Healy, a criminal justice major from Calabash, delivered remarks at the graduation ceremony, describing the six-month academy as an “excellent and unique experience that offers amazing training experiences and bonding opportunities.”
Her advice for students considering App State’s APDP program and BLET: “Take the opportunity and go for it! You’ll be working alongside students with similar career goals, as well as meeting officers with a wide range of backgrounds willing to mentor and teach.”
App State senior criminal justice major Angelina Margaria, left in foreground, and her grandmother, Diane Margaria, at the UNC System Police Academy’s inaugural graduation ceremony, held June 12 at Samarcand Training Academy in Jackson Springs. Photo by Lawrence Smith
Centralized training tailored for campus safety
In the past, UNC System campus police recruits completed their required training at a variety of locations across North Carolina. For App State students, that training was previously carried out on the Boone campus through the former Appalachian Police Academy.
The centralized UNC System Police Academy brings UNC System schools’ BLET instructors to a single location, where they can interact and mentor recruits from all 17 UNC System schools — strengthening the collaboration between campuses while also providing a foundation tailored to the public safety needs of university campuses.
Additionally, the academy successfully navigated significant logistical challenges following North Carolina’s 2025 revision of BLET requirements, which increased mandatory training by more than 200 hours — from 640 to 868 hours.
The expanded 20-week BLET curriculum spans 39 distinct subject matter blocks, including firearms training, driver training, constitutional law, first-aid and communication skills training. Recruits must complete classroom lectures, practical exercises and testing for each block of instruction before sitting for the state exam.
Academy instructors, including APD officers, traveled from their respective campuses to teach various topics, giving recruits the opportunity to learn from and build relationships with experienced UNC System police officers.
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About the App State Police Department
Appalachian State University’s official policing agency — the App State Police Department — supports the university’s academic mission by working in partnership with the campus community to prevent crime, solve problems and improve the quality of life on campus. The department’s philosophy is one of proactive community engagement, collaboration and customer service, holding the safety and health of App State’s community members as its top priorities. State-certified police officers, security officers and civilian employees compose the department, and this team of professionals helps to create and maintain an inclusive sense of belonging for all members of the App State Community — students, faculty, staff and visitors. Additionally, through its efforts, the department aims to be a leader in innovative public safety ideas and strategies. Learn more about the App State Police Department at https://police.appstate.edu.
About the Appalachian Police Officer Development Program
The Appalachian Police Officer Development Program (APDP) at Appalachian State University’s Boone campus — the only program of its kind in North Carolina — equips students with the knowledge, skills and training to become certified law enforcement officers in North Carolina, while simultaneously earning their undergraduate or graduate degrees. Students serve as cadets during their first year in the program and have the opportunity to complete Basic Law Enforcement Training through the University of North Carolina System Police Academy. The program is open to all full-time students in Boone, regardless of major, and students receive an hourly wage for the part-time work they complete with the Appalachian Police Department (APD). Learn more App State’s Appalachian Police Officer Development Program at https://police.appstate.edu/apdp.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
