GRANITE CITY - Granite City Community School District #9's Preston Brown is a School Resource Officer at the district’s elementary schools and a S.A.B.R.E. instructor serving eight schools in the Granite City community.
Brown, a graduate of Madison High School and Southwestern Illinois College, where he earned an associate degree, began his career by serving in the U.S. Navy. His daily responsibilities as a school resource officer include ensuring building safety, conducting perimeter checks, monitoring surveillance cameras, and delivering S.A.B.R.E. lessons to fifth-grade students.
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“In the school setting, my primary focus is building relationships and early intervention with students rather than a sense of being reactive,” Brown said. “My role now is less about enforcing the law and more about shaping outcomes.”
He emphasized the importance of presence in fostering connections with students and staff. “Students absolutely enjoy seeing the presence of law enforcement in the building. A simple ‘hi’ or fist bump puts a smile on their faces,” Brown said. He also noted that collaborating closely with administrators and staff helps establish trust and credibility to work toward educating students.
One moment that stood out to Brown was when a student told him he was his idol, highlighting the lasting impact his role can have.
Outside of work, Brown enjoys following various sports and spending time traveling with his girlfriend and their three children.
