Professional Spotlight: Joseph Peny

By: Brandon Spragins

GLYNCO, Ga. — Senior Instructor Joseph Peny of the Cyber Division, Technical Investigations Branch, at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) has a unique and inspiring career path that highlights his dedication to public service and education. Born in Savannah, Georgia, Peny’s journey to becoming a Senior Instructor was far from conventional, beginning with his enlistment in the Army immediately after high school. During his military service, Peny reached the rank of Sergeant before transitioning to civilian life.

After leaving the military, Peny explored the business world by joining Waffle House, where he climbed the ranks from store manager to district manager, overseeing three locations. However, in 2006, his career took a decisive turn when he enrolled in the Southeast Georgia Regional Police Academy. He then joined the Armstrong Atlantic State University Police Department (AASU PD), where his passion for law enforcement and technology converged. Peny quickly advanced through the ranks, becoming a Field Training Officer, Sergeant, and eventually a Lieutenant.

Peny’s dedication to continuous learning led him to complete nearly 300 hours of training in digital forensics, focusing on computers and cell phones. He and his team at AASU PD established a 24-hour digital forensics lab that provided valuable support to all local agencies at no cost. During his tenure at the police department, Peny also pursued higher education, earning a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies, a master’s degree in criminal justice, and a master’s degree in secondary education with a concentration in physical science.

In 2015, Peny shifted gears to education, teaching physical sciences and biology at Bryan County High School, Georgia. A year later, he moved to Effingham County High School, where he introduced forensic science to the curriculum and coached middle school sports. His commitment to education extended beyond the classroom; Peny became certified to teach Advanced Placement courses and served as a mentor for new teachers. Despite leaving the school system, Peny continued to foster connections with the school, offering presentations on the criminal justice system and serving as Master of Ceremony for the school's annual talent show.

Reflecting on his diverse career, Peny credits his success to his desire to help others and his love for teaching. “I have always had a desire to help others and share my knowledge. I can remember my teachers telling me that I would make a great teacher someday, and I guess that it stuck. Teaching at any level is a passion, and those that truly enjoy sharing knowledge have a long and fulfilling career.”

In 2022, Peny joined FLETC as a Senior Instructor, where he currently serves as the Program Coordinator for the Vehicle Data Extraction Training Program. He also contributes to several foundational courses and the Hardware Data Acquisition Training Program. At the start of Fiscal Year 2024, Peny was detailed to the Instructor Development Branch for four months, where he expanded his expertise in lesson plan development and advanced his instructional skills.

“During my life, I have had several careers and have been associated with some great people. The instructors and staff that I work with, at FLETC, are some of the most experienced in their fields. I am honored to be part of this amazing team.”

Beyond his professional achievements, Peny cherishes his role as a father of three grown children and a grandfather of three. He enjoys spending his free time playing traditional and disc golf and has recently joined First Tee of Golden Isles as a youth mentor.

FLETC’s Cyber Division is proud to have an instructor like Peny, whose career is a testament to the power of perseverance and passion for education. If you are inspired by Joe Peny's story and want to explore how you can make a difference in the field of law enforcement and digital forensics, consider learning more about the Cyber Division courses at FLETC. Partner Organizations or Law Enforcement interested in cyber training visit Training Catalog | Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (fletc.gov) to get started today.

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