BRTC’s Law Enforcement Training Academy announces the upcoming graduation of officers who enrolled in the Basic Police Training program. The event will be held Friday, November 17 at 1 p.m. in the Randolph County Development Center. A reception will follow.
​Forty-nine officers are slated to graduate from this 13 – week, 577-hour training for law enforcement officers, according to LETA Director Steve Shults. This program includes instruction in standard police tactics, firearms, legal, educational, technical skills, and practical exercises. Officers are required to maintain an academic score of 70% or higher on each exam, and must consistently fire at least 80% during the firearms training exercise in order to graduate.
​Guest speaker at the graduation will be Circuit Judge Phil Smith. Judge Smith began practicing law in Corning in 1979 after graduating from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law. His first judicial experience came with his election as judge of the Municipal Court of Randolph County in 1992 where he served until selected Circuit Judge. Judge Smith was instrumental in establishing the first drug courts in the 3rd Circuit and has presided in the Randolph County Drug Court since 2005 and the Lawrence County Drug Court since 2008. After 38 years in the legal profession, Judge Smith looks forward to retiring at the end of this year.
​The public, as well as friends and family of the graduates, are invited.
