Sergeant Brad Best has been assigned as the School Resource Officer (SRO) for the Merrillville High School . The SRO program has been in effect for over two decades in many schools throughout the nation. More information on the SRO concept is available at www.NASRO.org

The goal of an SRO is to serve as a resource for students, teachers, non-instructional staff, parents, administrators, and the community. Since the SRO is a trained police officer, he also focuses on prevention and early intervention, improving the school's security policies, and providing support and help for students who may be struggling with personal issues that could affect their educational welfare.

The SRO program was originally funded through the United States Justice Department and is a partnership between the school district and the Merrillville Police Department.

Sergeant Best’s office is located in the High school, but his days are divided among all the schools.

Many days, the SRO can be found walking the hallways, keeping peace in the cafeteria by having lunch with students, monitoring recess. This type of interaction gives him the chance to get better acquainted with students and staff, learn more about school programs and policies, and be visible and accessible to all.

Teachers are encouraged to use the SRO's services and knowledge by inviting him into their classrooms to participate in discussions about law-related issues.

Additionally, some of his other duties may involve: