COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announces a new Community Relations Officer in Highway Patrol Troop Three, which includes Anderson, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg counties.

S/Tpr. Joel Hovis joined the Highway Patrol in 2012 after retiring from a career in the corporate sector. S/Tpr. Hovis has worked for Troop 3 since joining the Patrol, primarily serving in Greenville, Pickens, and Oconee counties. He and his wife, Lisa, have two sons.

Community Relations Officers assist the media with inquiries on routine traffic matters such as collisions, traffic issues, safety initiatives and special enforcement in their area. CROs also promote highway safety education through presentations in schools, businesses, churches, festivals, fairs etc. Each of the seven Troops has a Community Relations Officer

If you have media inquiries regarding collisions or incidents in Troop Three, you may reach S/Tpr. Hovis by calling the SCDPS media information line at 803-896-8144 and choosing “Troop Three.”

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety includes the Highway Patrol, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services, Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs, Immigration Enforcement Unit and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame. Our mission is to ensure public safety by protecting and serving the people of South Carolina and its visitors.