Chief of Princeton Police Department to retire in the fall

Princeton Police Chief Christopher Morgan, who was promoted to serve as the head of the force in October of 2020, will retire on Oct. 31, officials announced on Tuesday.

Morgan, who has been a police officer for more than 25 years, 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 in February of 2019 before he replaced former Chief Nicholas Sutter.

“I am very grateful to have been a part of the Princeton Police Department and for all of the opportunities I have been provided,” Morgan said in a written 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.”

Officials credited Morgan with spearheading the accreditation of the police department through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies and implementing a virtual reality training program in the department that helps officers learn de-escalation techniques to safely defuse potentially violent situations. He also developed a partnership with the Volunteers of America to assist the community and officers in times of need. 

“We are all very appreciative of Chief Morgan’s long years of service to the Princeton Police Department and to the Princeton community,” Mayor Mark Freda said in a written 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.”

Morgan began his career in law enforcement in 1998 after graduating from the Trenton Police Academy. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the College of New Jersey and his master’s degree from Seton Hall University. He attended the Federal Bureau of Investigations Law Enforcement Development Seminar and is a graduate of Session 239 of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Before joining the Princeton Township Police Department in 2000, he served as a sheriff’s clerk in the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office. 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.

Council President and Police Commissioner Leticia Fraga said Morgan led the department through the pandemic and other issues. “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,” she said in a written statement.

Officials said a new chief would “be announced in accordance with municipal ordinance.”  Jon Bucchere has been serving as the captain of the force since October of 2020 when Morgan was promoted to chief.