Piedmont University has welcomed many new faculty on the campus, one being the assistant professor in forensic science and criminal justice John Lanneau.
Lanneau came from extensive experience in law enforcement starting in 1995. In addition, after high school he enlisted in the Air Force, commissioned as an infantry officer in the Army. The shift of military to law enforcement was a good fit for Lanneau. He had moved from Vermont and Georgia continually in the past for his law enforcement career. Being adaptable when it came to moving agencies of smaller caliber to larger agencies in Warner Robins, Georgia. Working on patrol for a year he later joined the Crime Scene Unit (CSU), under the Identification Criminalistics IDC for 4 years and then headed to Vermont for the Vermont Forensic Laboratory to be a Physical Comparative supervisor.
“I was over fingerprints, firearms, tool marks, footwear, crime scene unit, and the photography section,” said Lanneau.
However, Warner Robins, Georgia was calling him back to start a crime lab around 2001 and retired in 2023. The crime scene unit had grown from a 2 to 3-person unit to a 12-person unit that was an internationally accredited crime lab. Truly a successful crime lab was built thanks to Lanneau and others involved.
Nevertheless, the success does not end in Warner Robins or Vermont as John Lanneau headed to Demorest Georgia to Piedmont University. Knowing Professor Bruce Willis for more than 30 years.
“Bruce told me some of the things he wanted to do in this university for the forensic science program…and meet back up with someone I have known for a while…it was a great opportunity to come here [Piedmont University].”
There was a transition from going to law enforcement to being a professor as Lanneau said. “I enjoy it, it’s got a whole post of administrative functions you have to learn, it’s fast paced, so I have enjoyed it so far”.
Lanneau is teaching classes with the new generation of law enforcement and Lanneau said, “I see smart, vibrant, energetic, extremely eager, and intelligent people who want to learn and go forward.”
Overall, the criminal justice and forensics science majors are looking bright and well cared for.
