Barrington police officer Josh Melo had just finished a long shift and was heading back to the station when something caught his eye. A small group of teenagers had gathered at the high school soccer field to kick around a ball. Normally, Officer Melo would have driven past the field and continued onto the public safety building, but instead the young patrolman pulled into the parking lot and walked toward the pitch. Still wearing his full uniform, Officer Melo introduced himself to the teenagers and asked if he could kick around the ball too. The teens paused, caught off-guard by the proposition, but then invited him to play. Before long the young police officer was showing off some nifty skills. "He was really good," said one of the teenagers recalling the story. Officer Melo said he was hoping that the encounter would help with his adjustment to a new role on the force as school resource officer at Barrington High School. "I played at Durfee," said Officer Melo, referring to the Fall River high school. "I figured it would be welcoming to the kids if I did something like that." He was right. In fact, Officer Melo has felt right at home during his first couple of weeks as SRO at Barrington High School. "It's been great," he said. "It's definitely a different role, but it's been good." This year marks the first ever for a school resource officer in Barrington. About 10 years ago officials explored the idea of bringing an officer into the high school, but students and administrators rejected the proposal. Barrington Police Chief John LaCross continued to pursue the option and recently found that the current school administration and district officials (as well as students and their parents) were much more inviting. Officials included funding for the position — it is a part-time trial program this year — in the budget, which passed at the May financial town meeting. Once the funding was approved, Chief LaCross began searching for an officer in his department that would fit well with the school population. He eventually identified Officer Melo, who interviewed with school and police officials and was later named to the post. "He's a good fit," said Chief LaCross. "He's young — he's only about 10 years older than some of the students. He's tech savvy, with social media. He's got a master's degree. He's got things in order." Officer Melo's schedule calls for a split between the schools (he will also be spending time at the middle school and elementary schools) and the police department's detective division. "He has the balance. You need someone who's not just a Robocop," said the chief. "Both with the human side and with the police officer side. He's a good officer. He led the department with the number arrests he's made for DUI." Barrington High School Principal Joe Hurley said Officer Melo has fit in well at the high school during the first few weeks of classes. He said he noticed many of the high school's teachers making an effort to welcome Officer Melo, and appreciating his role in the building. Mr. Hurley said that the school resource officer has the ability to serve as a calming presence. He added that Officer Melo has also worked well with the school's assistant principals, Ed Daft and Nicole Varone. "I think that's one of the key ingredients," said Mr. Hurley. School and police officials agree that Officer Melo has already become key resource for the entire community. In addition to his work with students and assisting the educators and administrators, Officer Melo also serves as a potential police contact for students' parents and members of the community in general. "He's really there to be a resource," said Chief LaCross. Barrington Superintendent of Schools Michael Messore said he was pleased with how things have gone for Officer Melo and the high school community during the start of the school year. "I definitely see it as a plus for the school community, and the community as a whole," he said. Officer Melo said he is enjoying his work at the high school, and finds it quite a shift from his prior work as a patrolman handling the midnight to 8 a.m. shift. He said his previous interactions with local teenagers — especially during late-night traffic stops — resulted in a much different dynamic. "Yeah, they didn't want to talk to me," he said. "It's a little bit different now."