VGCC Graduates, Certifies 12 New Officers
Twelve “strangers who came together as a team” graduated from Basic Law Enforcement Training Class Number 75 at Vance-Granville Community College on May 14.
Kenneth L. Bullock of the Oxford Police Department, Richard H. Garrett of the Granville County Sheriff’s Department and Stephen L. Scott of the Warren County Sheriff’s Department were among the graduates, along with Daren A. Kirts of Youngsville, Bennett M. Manson Jr., James B. Rush and Daniel R. Tharrington of Louisburg, Enrico F. Taylor of Franklinton, Heath W. Gill and Michael C. Rogers of Roxboro, Charles F. White of Timberlake and John C. Hicks of Raleigh.
The graduates completed 608 hours of classroom and practical instruction during the spring semester of training. They passed weekly tests on what they had covered, and they had to pass physical fitness tests, driving and firearms qualifications.
Upon successful completion of the VGCC training, the students passed the North Carolina basic law enforcement exam, certifying them to work as officers anywhere in the state.
One of the course instructors, Sgt. Matthew L. Perkinson of the Henderson Police Department, was the principal speaker for the graduation ceremonies. He is an East Carolina University graduate who has worked as a K-9 and patrol officer.
Perkinson gave the graduates several challenges: “When you leave for work, look at yourself in the mirror and say you are coming back. Treat everyone like you’d want to be treated. Never stop learning. Do not bring disrespect to the job. Do not ignore the voice telling you there is something wrong. Develop hobbies; there’s more to life than work.”
The class leader, Stephen Scott, said the 12 were strangers when the course started in January, “But we came together as a team, friendships were formed, and we helped each other reach graduation.”
The next Basic Law Enforcement Training class will begin in August with Fall Semester. Now is the time for persons who are interested to begin the application process, said Tony Pendergrass, VGCC’s coordinator of law enforcement training. For more information, contact Pendergrass at (252) 738-3263.
Graduates of Vance-Granville Community College Basic Law Enforcement Training Class 75 are, front, from left: Richard H. Garrett, Kenneth L. Bullock, John C. Hicks, Daniel R. Tharrington, Bennett M. Manson Jr.; second row, from left: Stephen L. Scott, Heath W. Gill, Michael C. Rogers, Charles F. White; back, from left: Tony Pendergrass, VGCC law enforcement training coordinator, James B. Rush, Daren A. Kirts and Enrico Taylor.
