Princeton Police Officer Hospitalized After Shock By Faulty Light Pole

PRINCETON, NJ - An officer from the Princeton Police Department was hospitalized Saturday after being shocked by a malfunctioning light pole while on duty, authorities said.

The officer, who was not identified in a news release, responded to the area of 73 Palmer Square West at around 2:03 p.m. for a report of a possible sharp hazard on the sidewalk, Princeton police said in a statement.

While checking for a hazard, the officer was shocked by an electrical current. He was transported to the Center for Emergency Care at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center for evaluation, police said. He was later released.

An initial investigation found the officer was shocked by a malfunctioning light pole, police said. PSE&G and Palmer Square Management subsequently shut the power off to the pole, “rendering it safe,” police added.