Commander Joseph Penze has served with the Apache Junction Police Department since July 2021. Commander Penze began his career in 1988 in the Chicago, Illinois area.
In 2004 Commander Penze was promoted to Sergeant and worked patrol for three years. Handling duties including K-9 Supervisor and SRO Supervisor. Penze also became involved with the Northern Illinois Critical Incident Stress Management (NICISM) Team in 2005. This team provided immediate comprehensive crisis response interventions for first responders in the Chicagoland area.
Penze was promoted to Commander in May 2006. As a Commander, he was assigned to Field Operations as a Patrol Watch Commander. In 2009 Penze was promoted to Deputy Chief and served and managed the Administrative Division for five years. He was transferred to the Operations Division in November 2015.
In 2018 Penze was promoted to Chief of Staff, managing the daily operation of the department, reporting to the Office of the Chief of Police, and retired in 2021.
Commander Penze is a graduate of the 240th session of the FBI National Academy along with Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, Executive Management, and Police Staff and Command. Penze holds a Master’s degree from St. Cloud State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kendall College. Penze has been involved with many committees and boards within organizations during his career.