Chief's Corner

Important periodic messages from Elmwood Park Police Department Chief Michael Foligno.

About Chief Michael Foligno

Chief Foligno was appointed as a police officer with the Elmwood Park Police Department on December 28, 1989. He was promoted to Police Sergeant in January 1999, Police Lieutenant in February 2001, and Detective Captain of Police in March of 2013. He was appointed to Chief of Police in March of 2014. On January 1, 2019 he was appointed and the Borough Administrator for the Borough of Elmwood Park, in addition to his duties and responsibilities as Chief of Police.

During his career, he served in the Patrol Division from January 1990 to January 2012 and was assigned to the Detective Bureau as Investigative Division Commander and Supervisor of the Narcotics Unit from January 2012 until March of 2014.

Significant assignments have included being a Certified Fatal Accident Reconstructionist/Investigator with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Unit, Bergen County Rapid Deployment Force Member, 9-1-1 Coordinator, Supervisor of the Field Training Officers Unit, Bias Crimes Supervisor, Media Relations Officer and Emergency Management Coordinator. In 2020 Chief Foligno was presented with life saving and bravery awards for his rescue of a 2-year-old child and her mother who had fallen through the ice in the Passaic River.

Chief Foligno is a graduate of the Bergen County Police Academy Class #64 where he received awards for Academic Excellence, Physical Fitness Achievement, and Marksmanship. Out of a class of 90 recruits he obtained the highest-grade point average academically at a 97.5. He attended Bergen Community College from 1986 through 1987 where he majored in management.

Chief Foligno is an inductee in the Elmwood Park Athletic Hall of Fame for his achievements in the sport of wrestling. He has been active in mentoring and coaching the youth of Elmwood Park in the sports of football, baseball, and wrestling.



Community Advisement: December 6, 2018

Dear Elmwood Park Residents:

On December 4th and December 5th, 2018 (2) elementary school students reported that a dark colored minivan with rear tinted windows (possibly a Chevrolet) pulled up to them as they were walking home from Gilbert Avenue School. Both incidents occurred at approximately 4:00 pm on Gilbert Avenue between Speidel Avenue and Elm Street.

The students observed 2 dark skinned males occupying the vehicle during both incidents. According to the victims, the suspects stated to them, “You’re beautiful, do you want me to drop you off.” In both instances the victims ran off and were not pursued by the suspects.

Although these incidents occurred on December 4th and 5th, they were reported to the police department on December 6, 2018 at which time an investigation was immediately started. The facts regarding these incidents were broadcast to surrounding jurisdictions to ascertain if any similar situations occurred in other municipalities.

The Elmwood Park Police Department has added extra patrols, both marked and unmarked, to the area, for the safety and security off all of our students.

If anyone has any information that could assist in this investigation, please contact the police desk at 201-796-0700, option #7. In case of an emergency please dial 911.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this issue or if I could be of assistance in anyway, please feel free to contact my office at 201-796-0764.

Sincerely,

Michael Foligno
Chief of Police