As Grove City High School (GCHS) begins the 2025-2026 school year this August, our Greyhounds welcome a new face to the hallways of campus in the form of new School Resource Officer (SRO) Joseph Hughes.
Hughes replaces longtime SRO Marcus Petty who transitioned into a new role with the department at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year. GCHS and South Western City Schools (SWCS) would like to extend our sincerest appreciation to Officer Petty for his years of service to our Greyhound students, families, staff, and community and wish him well in his new role with the department.
As SRO Hughes prepares for his first school year with the Greyhounds, students, staff, and families will soon discover a dedicated public servant whose roots run deep in the community that shaped him. His lifelong connection to this area fuels his commitment to protecting and supporting the very people who inspired his career in service.
An Introductory FAQ with Officer Hughes
How long have you been with the Grove City Police Department and what roles have you held before becoming the School Resource Officer at Grove City High School?
“I have been with the Grove City Police for 16.5 years,” said Officer Hughes. “I have been a Patrol Officer, Community Resource Officer, DARE and KEY Instructor, Crisis Negotiator, and also a Detective during my time with the department.”
Did you grow up in South Western City Schools or the Grove City community? If so, what was your experience like as a student?
“I have lived in Grove City my entire life” said Officer Hughes. “I attended Grove City Christian School from preschool through eighth grade and then Grove City High School, where I graduated in 2005. I played soccer my freshman year at GCHS and I really enjoyed my time as a Greyhound where I spent a lot of my time in the ceramics room with Mr. Bosworth.”
What drew you to a career in law enforcement, and what keeps you passionate about the work you do?
“I was in high school and initially wanted to be a game warden,” said Officer Hughes. “While in college at Hocking College for wildlife management, I decided to transfer to Police Science.”
Why did you want to serve as a School Resource Officer in particular, and what excites you most about working inside a school setting?
“When I started teaching DARE, I realized the different connections I made with the students and staff, and I really enjoyed the three years I taught at the intermediate school leve,” said Officer Hughes. “I am excited to work with a few of the teachers who taught me at Grove City High School, and the incoming freshman class is actually made up of my first class of DARE students – bringing this new venture full-circle.”
How do you see your role in helping students before they become adults in the community?
“I really enjoy talking with students and breaking down the perceptions and the intimidations that I see in interactions between youth and officers,” said Officer Hughes. “I always like sitting and talking with kids to figure out what happened in a negative situation and how they can look at it from a different perspective to help them prevent making the same mistake again.”
What’s your approach to building trust and strong relationships with students, staff, and families?
“I want to be approachable to students and staff,” said Officer Hughes. “When talking, I find that people often have questions or ask for advice on how to handle an issue they are dealing with. My goal is to provide the best services I can or, at a minimum, help them find the right avenue to get the proper assistance.”
Finally, what do you hope members of our Greyhound community take away from their interactions with you from a school-law enforcement partnership side of things?
“I want people to walk away and feel better about their relationships with officers and know we are truly here to help” said Officer Hughes. “I want them to see me as part of the Greyhound family, and I am here to support the school, the district, and Grove City in any way I can.”
South Western City Schools would like to welcome Officer Hughes into our Greyhound Family and extends an invitation to our broader SWCS community to help him feel welcome on campus this fall and in the years to come!
SW Insider 