Princeton Police Chief Christopher Morgan has announced his retirement from the Princeton Police Department effective Oct. 31, after more than 25 years of police service.
Morgan previously served as acting Chief of the former Princeton Township Police Department before Princeton Borough and Princeton Township consolidated in 2014. He was promoted to Captain of the Princeton Police Department (PPD) in February 2019 before he replaced former Chief Nicholas Sutter in October 2020, according to a prepared statement.
“I am very grateful to have been a part of the PPD and for all of the opportunities I have been provided,” Morgan said in the statement. “The men and women of this organization are some of the most professional and committed police officers in the state, and it has been a pleasure to work with all of them throughout my career. I will always be a part of this department and community, and I look forward to hearing about many more great accomplishments of our officers.”
During Morgan’s time with the PPD, he spearheaded the accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) for the former Princeton Township Police and continued that through the consolidated Princeton Police. He implemented the WRAP virtual reality training program, which continues to be crucial for Princeton police officers learning de-escalation techniques that safely defuse various critical incidents. Morgan also developed a partnership with the Volunteers of America to assist the community and officers in times of need.
Throughout his tenure with the PPD, Morgan has been committed to maintaining transparency and strengthening community-police relationships, according to the statement.
“We are all very appreciative of Chief Morgan’s long years of service to the PPD and to the Princeton community,” Mayor Mark Freda said in the statement. “We are grateful for his leadership as chief and helping to position the department to continue to move ahead after his tenure. We wish him a long and healthy retirement.”
Council President Leticia Fraga, who chairs the Public Safety Committee and serves as Police Commissioner, expressed appreciation for Morgan’s many years of service to the community.
“He led the PPD through the pandemic and other competing priorities,” Fraga said in the statement. “During his tenure as chief, he has been steadfast and compassionate through some of the most tumultuous times for policing, as he worked to position the department to be more accessible through various community-building initiatives.”
Morgan began his career in law enforcement in 1998 after graduating from the Trenton Police Academy. He is a graduate of the College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Science Degree and holds a master’s degree from Seton Hall University. Additionally, he attended the FBI Law Enforcement Development Seminar and is a graduate of Session 239 of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Morgan served as sheriff’s officer in the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office and moved to the former Princeton Township Police Department in 2000. He has received the Honorable Service Award and the Mercer County Volunteer of the Year Award from the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.
Morgan’s successor will be announced in accordance with municipal ordinance, according to the statement.
