Friends, family, and community members filled the Conference Center at Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s Gordon County Campus on Dec. 16 to celebrate 16 graduates from Basic Law Enforcement Training Class.

GNTC’s Basic Law Enforcement (BLE) program prepares students for employment as entry-level POST-certified law enforcement officers, training them for the responsibilities and standards expected in public safety careers.

Guest speaker GNTC Campus Police Lt. Kayla Franks challenged graduates to lead with character and accountability. “Your badge does not define you; your actions do,” she told the class, emphasizing that protecting integrity is essential to protecting public trust.

Chase Cole served as student speaker. Edwin Newman received the Academic (Honor Graduate) Award for the highest GPA, while William Locke earned the “Top Gun” award for marksmanship.

Graduates closed the ceremony by reciting the Oath of Honor, pledging to uphold their integrity, the Constitution, and the communities they will serve.

Graduates include: Chase Cole, Blake Delay, Cristian Deleon, Devon Dornan, Robert Edwards, Robert Heck, William Locke, Castulo Molina, Owen Morales, Edwin Newman, Jacob Roberts, David Sarellano, Larry Silvers, Zachary Sugden, Trent Thompson, and James Weesner.

Several graduates are already employed with regional agencies, including the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office, Murray County Sheriff’s Office, Walker County Sheriff’s Office, Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office, Adairsville Police Department, and Dalton Police Department, while others are entering as preservice candidates.