Bucchere To Retire, Tash To Take Over As New Princeton Police Chief

PRINCETON, NJ – Current Police Chief John Bucchere will retire at the end of July, after serving the community for 25 years.

Captain Chris Tash has been appointed as the new Police Chief and will begin in his new role on Aug. 1.

During Monday’s meeting, the Council presented a proclamation honoring Bucchere for his service.

Bucchere was appointed for a three-year term following which he will officially retire on Aug. 1.

During his time at the Princeton Police Department, Bucchere several roles including Patrol Officer, Detective, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Safe Neighborhood Sergeant, Administrative Lieutenant, Patrol Lieutenant, Captain and Chief of Police.

As Chief of Police, Bucchere displayed transformational leadership that saw the diversity within the Department expand, community policing footprint grow, and stakeholder involvement strengthen, the Municipality said.

“Chief Bucchere has served the community of Princeton with pride, and upon the occasion of his retirement, is deserving of recognition and the highest commendation,” the proclamation said.

Councilwoman Michelle Prione Lambros was part of the panel that interviewed Tash for the position and said all the candidates did a great job proving that the local police department was strong

"We are really going to miss Chief Bucchere, he's just been phenomenal but we are going to be in great hands with new Chief Tash," Councilwoman Michelle Prione Lambros said.

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