Press Release-Michael Morrissey, New Police Chief

TOWN OF FENWICK ISLAND PRESS RELEASE:

The Town of Fenwick Island is pleased to announce that Michael Morrissey has accepted the offer to become Fenwick Island’s next Police Chief, effective September 1, 2023.  

Morrissey brings to Fenwick Island more than thirty-three years of policing experience at both the community and national levels. 

Morrissey began his police career in 1989 with the City of Wilmington Police Department. (WPD). During his early career he earned numerous commendations, including the Kiwanis Club Officer of the Year in 1991. During his tenure, he served in the Patrol, Internal Affairs and Community Policing Divisions. Morrissey also served as the department’s liaison with the Delaware Office of Highway Safety, writing grants and managing traffic safety programs, which included Click It or Ticket, Check Point Strike Force, and child safety seat and aggressive driving enforcement.

While working as a supervisor in the Community Policing Unit, Morrissey managed the federal Weed and Seed Program, obtaining grant funding to modernize the WPD bicycle unit. He also served on the Fugitive Safe Surrender Program led by the US Marshall Service and US and Delaware Attorney Generals’ Office.

Upon retirement in November 2009 from the Wilmington Police Department, Morrissey began his career with the Amtrak Police Department (APD) which is a federal-level policing organization.  During his tenure with APD, he has served in supervisory and management roles in the Patrol and Criminal Investigations Divisions, serving in Wilmington DE, Philadelphia PA, and Washington DC. Morrissey has extensive experience in interagency partnership, traffic safety and grant management.

Morrissey earned his B.S in Criminal Justice and a master’s degree in justice administration from Wilmington University. Morrissey is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command Class #479 and has completed several supervisory training programs at the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville. 

Morrissey and his family have been part-time residents in the Fenwick Island area for the past 20 years and recently became full-time residents of Dagsboro, Delaware. Morrissey has been married to his wife Kelly – a nurse, for 26 years. The Morrisseys have two children who are attending college in southern California and Alabama. 

So that Morrissey’s transition to Police Chief will be seamless, after wrapping up his duties for Amtrak, Morrissey will begin serving Fenwick Island as a public safety liaison to the Town Council in advance of taking the position as Police Chief on September 1, 2023. 

The Town Council believes Mr. Morrissey’s extensive background and experience in Wilmington and a nation-wide organization will be instrumental in addressing all aspects of our town’s policing priorities including Route 1 safety concerns regarding speed enforcement and crosswalk safety.  During his interview, Morrissey offered a 90-day plan for addressing those issues and we are looking forward to seeing his plan put into action to benefit the Fenwick Island community. 

Please join us in welcoming Mr. Morrissey to the Town of Fenwick Island’s family.