Town of Munster Indiana

Sergeant James Ghrist pledged the Oath of Office in 2000.  He is a certified D.A.R.E. Instructor, School Resource Officer, Crime Prevention Officer, and Bicycle Officer, and is a graduate of the Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy and the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) Training.  Sergeant Ghrist previously served in the Patrol Division and as School Resource Officer at Munster High School before being assigned as the D.A.R.E. & Crime Prevention Officer in December 2004.   

 

As the department's primary D.A.R.E. Officer, Sergeant Ghrist teaches at five elementary schools and co-supervises the annual Snowflurry event at Wilbur Wright Middle School each March.  He also follows up on concerns and reports involving incidents that take place on the grounds of any of the elementary schools and assists with residency checks and safety training for elementary school staffs and students.  In 2018, he was also named as the Northwest Region representative to the D.A.R.E. Indiana Advisory Council. 

 

As Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Ghrist re-organized the Munster Neighborhood Crime Watch program in 2005 into a highly-successful network that now consists of over 100 active Crime Watch groups spread all throughout town.  He also introduced the Munster Neighborhood Crime Watch Weekly Report in April 2005 which is now distributed to thousands of residents on a weekly basis to keep them informed about recent crime activity and effective prevention methods.  The success of that program led to the creation of the Munster Business Crime Watch program in 2007 which now provides the Munster Business Crime Watch Weekly Report to over 300 local businesses and churches and to the subsequent implementation of the Munster School Watch Program in 2025 which promotes safety for staff and students.  That program provides the Munster School Crime Watch Monthly Report to every school staff member. 

 

In addition to these programs Sergeant Ghrist maintains the department's website, provides home/business security inspections, provides car seat installation inspections, and supervises the department's community policing programs and events such as the Choice Community Council, National Night Out Against Crime Celebration, Citizens Police Academy, and the "Cops and Kids" program for underprivileged families during the holidays.

 

Sergeant Ghrist has received the Munster Police Department's Meritorious Service Award, Distinguished Service Award (twice) and was named the Munster Police Department's Officer of the Year for 2006.  He has also received the Munster Chamber of Commerce's Community Service Leader Award, American Legion's District 1 Officer of the Year Award for the State of Indiana, D.A.R.E. Indiana Officer of the Year Award, South Shore Leadership Council "Leaders as Heroes" Award, Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police Community Service Award, and the District 1 Law Enforcement Council's Exemplary Service Award.  Sergeant Ghrist received his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice (as well as an Associate's Degree in History) from Purdue University in 2000 and his Master's Degree in Public Safety Administration from Calumet College of St. Joseph in 2010.