Princeton Police Chief Still Absent, Department Morale Improving?

Princeton Police Chief David Dudeck has not been at work in nearly three weeks and it is unclear when or if he will return. 

Within the police department, responsibilities have shifted so operations can continue without Dudeck. 

Captain Nick Sutter, the second-highest ranking officer, has temporarily taken over the responsibilities of chief.

One other change has been made official. Sutter sent out an email to local press contacts last week, telling reporters that Sgt. Mike Cifelli would be taking over police press releases and social media notifications. Cifelli handled those duties in the former Township Police Department. 

Sutter said other than that, the department is "business as usual," although he has personally taken on a much greater workload. He said he is unsure when Dudeck may return.

"I have no information to that at all," Sutter said. "I don't really know where this is going."

Inside the police department, morale has taken a turn for the better, a source close to the department said. 

"Honestly the morale is probably better than it has been in months," the source said. "There's laughter in the hallway and a lightheartedness about how they're carrying themselves. It's hard to describe- you would think it would be doom and gloom because people don't know what's going on, but that's not the case." 

On Monday afternoon, Princeton Council met with its attorney during a closed door session to discuss personnel/negotiations. Administrator Bob Bruschi confirmed afterward that the situation with Dudeck was discussed. 

"We're in contact with Dave to move the process forward, to help him come to a decision," Bruschi said. 

He said Dudeck could walk into the police department any day now and expect to return to work. Should that happen, he said it would likely trigger an active investigation by the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office.

Patch tried to reach Dudeck for comment, but a message left on his cell phone was not returned.

Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert said in an email there's no update as to when the situation in the police department might be resolved. She declined to answer questions in person after Monday's meeting. 

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 the following: 

• Dudeck stopped a newly trained male officer in the hall. He said something to the effect of 'You're probably in really good shape, show me your abs.' The officer declined, but the Chief said 'No show me your abs, take off your shirt.' 
• Dudeck told the investigating officer working on a male on male sex assault at Princeton University, 'We've got the perfect fag working on the case.'
• Dudeck made a penis joke in front of a female officer during a meeting with his senior staff.

Since those allegations surfaced during a Feb. 26 meeting between Dudeck and the Princeton Public Safety Committee, the chief has been absent from work. He has been using accrued time off. Bruschi said on Monday that Dudeck has nearly six months of paid leave available. 

Dudeck, a 30-year-police veteran, is eligible for retirement. 

Princeton officials have referred the case to the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office for review, although no formal investigation has yet begun.  

"The simple fact is the Attorney General's guidelines say if allegations are made against a chief of police, it has to be investigated," the source said. "At this point it's just lip service."

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.

Dudeck is a 1977 graduate of The Hun School of Princeton, where he has served as head football coach for more than a decade.