NC State grad student and Highway Patrol intern dismissed, promotion list discarded after cheating allegations

While the North Carolina State Highway Patrol investigates allegations about cheating on a test troopers take to earn promotions, a graduate student at North Carolina State University, which administers the tests, was removed from that program.

Posted 9:03 p.m. Jul 11, 2019 — Updated 9:13 p.m. Jul 11, 2019

RALEIGH, N.C. — While the North Carolina State Highway Patrol investigates allegations about cheating on a test troopers take to earn promotions, a graduate student at North Carolina State University, which administers the tests, was removed from that program.

Unber Ahmad was employed by N.C. State to assist with the promotion process and was also participating in the Highway Patrol internship program, according to a statement released Thursday by the patrol. On June 25, she was "removed from the Internship Program and, since her removal, has had no further affiliation with the Patrol," a spokesman said.

On June 28, the Highway Patrol released a letter from Col. Glenn M. McNeill Jr. to section directors and troop and unit commanders announcing that promotions, annually announced on July 1, would be indefinitely delayed while the patrol investigated the cheating allegation.

"The Commander's Office has received an allegation that the promotional process may have been compromised," McNeill wrote.

In the letter, McNeill wrote that he had ordered an Internal Affairs investigation and contacted North Carolina State University to ask that they, too, investigate.

"The entire promotion process is currently under review," McNeill said. "Based on this review, we will take steps necessary to refine and improve the process used by the Patrol for future promotion opportunities. In addition, effective Monday, July 15, the promotion process will reside under the Professional Standards Section of the Patrol.

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