Dudeck's Future with Police Department, Hun School in Limbo

It's been nearly six weeks and Princeton Police Chief David Dudeck has still not decided whether he will retire or undergo an investigation into allegations that he created an atmosphere of harassment and intimidation within the department.

On Friday, a representative of Hun School of Princeton said he could not comment on Dudeck's status as the school's longtime head football coach. 

"We will have a statement by Monday," said Ryan Egan, associate director of communications for the school. 

Dudeck is currently on medical leave from Princeton, according to Princeton Administrator Bob Bruschi. He has been out of the office since Feb. 26, the day he had a meeting with the town's Public Safety Committee. 

According to police sources, more than two dozen complaints have been filed against Dudeck by his officers, outlining a pattern of harassment and intimidation over the past two years. 

Among the alleged incidents are forcing a male officer to take off his shirt, calling an officer a "fag" and making a penis joke in front of a female officer during a meeting with his senior staff. 

Dudeck, a 30-year police veteran, currently has the option to retire with a full pension or he could return to work. Bruschi has said if Dudeck were to return to work, it would likely trigger an investigation by the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office.

As of now, Dudeck has not made up his mind. 

"We have indeed been having discussions with Dave over the past few weeks," Bruschi said.  "It is a very difficult decision that he has to make and one that impacts not only him but the department and the town.  We want it to be the right decision. So indeed it is taking time."

Princeton Police Captain Nick Sutter has taken temporarily taken over the duties of police chief, but it's unclear how long the department will remain in limbo.

It's unknown if Princeton has set a deadline by which Dudeck will have to make a decision. 

In a phone call Thursday night, Mayor Lempert paused when asked how long the process was expected to drag out. 

"We're hoping to have some clarity on the direction soon," she said. 

Officials are putting together a separation package for Dudeck, even though he has not yet made up his mind about retiring. 

"As part of the discussions we have had with Dave we collectively agree that we should have all of what he is entitled to outlined in an agreement," Bruschi said. "Keep in mind that under normal circumstances he could retire tomorrow and receive the same thing as he will receive the normal retirement payouts and benefits.  The agreement will be nothing more then formally outlining what they are."

Multiple calls to Dudeck's cell phone have not been returned. 

Dudeck was the former Princeton Borough Police Chief, a position he held since 2009. Last year, he was approved as Chief of the consolidated Princeton Police Department, a position he assumed Jan. 1, 2013.