Fort Lee Detective, Member of Honor Guard, Athlete Honored by Chief

The following article was submitted to Patch for publication by the Fort Lee Police Department:

Detective Michele Morgenstern, a member of the Fort Lee Police Department since 2001, has been chosen as the Chief’s Award recipient for the month of October.

Fort Lee Police Chief Thomas O. Ripoli created the award as a way to recognize police officers for their positive contributions to the police department and to the community of Fort Lee.

Morgenstern graduated from Wayne Hills High School in Wayne, NJ. She attended Montclair State University, where she earned of Bachelor’s Degree in History in 1998. In August 2010, she earned a Master’s Degree in History from William Paterson University.

In January 1999, Morgenstern joined the Paterson Police Department. While there, she worked in patrol and the Narcotics/Vice Division. She transferred to Fort Lee in April 2001. 

Morgenstern began in the patrol division with the Fort Lee Police Department and was later transferred to Community Policing. There she was involved in bicycle patrol, various community relations programs, the Junior Police Academy, an anti- DWI Program at Fort Lee High School and child safety seat installations.

In 2007, she was promoted to Detective and placed in the Juvenile Detective Bureau.

She is certified as a School Resource Officer and has taught DARE, GREAT and NJ Leadership programs in the borough’s Schools. Morgenstern was later reassigned to the General Investigations Bureau. 

Currently, Det. Morgenstern is working on receiving accreditation for the Fort Lee Police Department. She has received several commendations throughout her career.

She is a member of the Fort Lee Police Honor Guard and the Fort Lee Police Sports Team, which represents the department in various charitable and competitive races.

She is also on the Executive Board of Fort Lee PBA 245 as Treasurer and on the Executive Board of New Jersey School Resource Officers Association as Secretary.

Morgenstern said she would like to thank Ripoli for the honor.