Staff Directory - Details

James Ghrist

D.A.R.E./Crime Prevention Officer
James Ghrist
  • Primary Contact Address
    1001 Ridge Rd
    Munster, IN 46321
Primary Department: Munster Police Department
Other Departments: Drug Abuse Resistance Education, Choice Community Council, National Night Out Against Crime Celebration, Community Policing Unit, Neighborhood Crime Watch, Business Crime Watch

Professional Profile

Officer 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.  Officer 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, Officer 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, Officer 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.  
 
In addition to these programs Officer 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, the National Night Out Against Crime Celebration, and the "Cops and Kids" program for underprivileged families during the holidays.  He is also the coordinator for the department's Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) Program.
 
Officer Ghrist has received the Distinguished Service Award twice, a Certificate of Commendation, a number of Exemplary Service Awards, and was named the Munster Police Department's Officer of the Year for 2006.  He was also presented with the American Legion's 2012 District 1 Officer of the Year Award for the State of Indiana, the 2015 D.A.R.E. Indiana Officer of the Year Award, and the Public Safety "Leaders as Heroes" Award from the South Shore Leadership Council in 2016.  Officer 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.

Contact Us

1005 Ridge Road
Munster, IN 46321
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  • Phone: 219-836-6900
  • Staff Directory

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