Clint Whetstone is one of Waxhaw’s newest police officers and the Mint Hill native comes to the force with an impressive resume.

Whetstone was born and raised on a family farm in Mint Hill and after graduating from Independence High School in 2013 he went to North Carolina-Charlotte where he received a degree in Criminal Justice last May.

While a student at UNCC, Whetstone completed an internship with the Waxhaw Police Department. Whetstone rode with officers during his internship and went on calls. He also participated in community-related police activities.

“Once I started taking Criminal Justice classes it became evident then that I was on the right path,” Whetstone said. “I also got see firsthand what they do here and how this department works. I just grew even more interested at that point.”

After graduation from UNCC, Whetstone began Basic Law Enforcement Training in August at South Piedmont Community College and he graduated Dec. 12. The training, which included among other things basic radio communications, driver training and firearms training and certification, lasted 18 weeks.

Whetstone won three different awards at the BLET training earlier this month. Whetstone had the highest average on all testing, he scored the top state exam score in his class and he was named the top student in his class, which included everything candidates did during the training.

“I was officially hired Oct. 1 and I am here learning policy and procedure and will start soon,” Whetstone said. “I am looking forward to getting out on the street. I am just waiting on the state to send my paperwork.”

Whetstone will spend 10 weeks with a field training officer before beginning patrol by himself. The Waxhaw Police Department now has 25 full-time police officers.

“He received the top three academic awards,” said Waxhaw Chief of Police Michael Eiss. “That is a pretty good accomplishment. We have a pretty stringent hiring process here.”