Chief Joseph Morris, (ret.)

Joseph M. Morris, Jr. has experience both in the public and private sectors. As a police executive, he demonstrated expertise in developing and maintaining Police/Public Safety and Security Standards for a large metropolitan police department and transportation agency. During his police career, responsibilities included Administrative Management, Investigations and Patrol Functions, Operations/Emergency Response, Safety/ Security Management, Staff Development, Labor/Management Relations and Negotiations, Construction Coordination, Budget Administration, Community Relations, Agency Liaison with other Government Agencies and Risk Management working with insurance underwriters in London and Bermuda. In the private sector, he has been a security and logistics consultant for large scale transportation building complex construction projects.

Prior to joining TSA in August 2007, he was employed by the URS Corporation. URS is providing construction management services for the Port Authority of NY & NJ at the World Trade Center Transportation Hub/Site. In January 2004, he retired from the Port Authority of NY & NJ Police Department after serving more than 31 years. During his career, Chief Morris was involved with and directed the police and public safety operations at the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan Region airports, ports, tunnels, bridges, trains, terminals and communications facilities.

On September 11, 2001, as Commanding Officer LaGuardia Airport, he responded to and took part in the rescue and recovery operations following the attacks on the World Trade Center Complex and their collapse. Later that day he was designated the site commander leading the Port Authority Rescue and Recovery Operations. On September 26, 2001, he was promoted to Chief of the Department/Acting Superintendent of Police.

After obtaining a bachelor’s degree from Upsala College, he graduated from the Port Authority Police Academy. He attended the Police Command College at West Point Military Academy in 1990 and FBI National Executive Institute in 2002. During his career, he has been awarded numerous Port Authority Police Medals and Commendations, as well as Tributes from the United States House of Representatives, and the Governors of New York and New Jersey.

The Frederick Suydam Memorial Association a diverse group of law enforcement, intelligence, and corporate security persons in 2008 selected Joseph Morris to be honored at their annual dinner. Since 1960, The Association has recognized individuals with distinguished careers in the public sector; the honor recognizes dedicated service marked by the personal attributes of fidelity, bravery, integrity, devotion to duty and whole-hearted spirit of cooperation with all law enforcement agencies.