BRTC’s Law Enforcement Training Academy (LETA) held its Spring 2021 graduation ceremony on Friday, April 16 for the 37 officers who completed the Basic Police Training Course. 

Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin served as the guest speaker during the ceremony held in the Randolph County Development Center on the Pocahontas campus. The top LETA cadets were recognized during the ceremony.

David Rowe of the Batesville Police Department earned the Top Overall Award, which is earned by having the highest overall average in the areas of academics, firearms, and physical fitness. Matthew Hemphill of the Boone County Sherriff’s Office earned second in this category, and Jordon McDaniel of the Vilonia Police Department earned third.

Top Physical Fitness awards went to Jordon McDaniel of the Vilonia Police Department, 1st; Rhett Ballard of the Poinsett County Sherri’s Office, 2nd; and Jared Medina of the Mountain Home Police Department, 3rd.

The Top Academic awards went to Tyler Jorgenson of the Mountain View Police Department, 1st; Kyle Carter of the Greenbrier Police Department, 2nd; and David Rowe of the Batesville Police Department, 3rd.

Top EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operations Course) students were Natasha Condrey of the Stone County Sherriff’s Office, 1st;Rhett Ballard of the Poinsett County Sherriff’s Office, 2nd ; andJordan Richardson of the Van Buren County Sherriff’s Office.

Jordan Richardson, firing at a 94.2% accuracy, earned the top Firearms Award; Jordan McDaniel firing at a 94.0% accuracy,earned 2nd place; and Tressie Powell, firing at an 88.8%, earned 3rd place.

For more information about the LETA program at BRTC, contact Steve Shults Director of Law Enforcement Training, at Steve.Shults@blackrivertech.edu or (870) 248-4000, ext. 4194or visit https://blackrivertech.org/academics/service-programs/leta.

Photo: 2021 LETA Class-A

Black River Technical College is a 2-year community college in Pocahontas and Paragould which offers associates degrees and certificates in general education and technical and career education.  The College houses one of the state’s law enforcement training academies and fire science academies.  BRTC has 2,500 full- and part-time students.