Prosecutor's Office Investigating Misconduct Allegations By Police Chief

The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office on Monday confirmed that they are investigating allegations of misconduct by Princeton Police Chief David Dudeck. 

"Attorney general guidelines require us to conduct all investigations where a police chief or director is implicated," Prosecutor's Office Spokeswoman Casey DeBlasio wrote in an email late Monday afternoon. "It is in that capacity that the prosecutor’s office is currently reviewing allegations of administrative misconduct by Chief Dudeck. The office has no further comment at this time."

Dudeck was not at work on Monday. A call to his cell phone for comment was not immediately returned. 

Princeton officials have been mum on the issue, but sources say 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.

The incidents in question were not reported at the time. A source told Patch that officers were afraid of retaliation in the form of demotions to patrol or unexpected schedule changes. 

Since consolidation took effect Jan. 1, former Borough officers have felt more empowered to bring the issues to light. The incidents are well documented with dates, times and witnesses, the source said. 

The Police Benevolent Association notifed Princeton officials about the complaints, but it's unclear if the complaints were referred to Princeton's Public Safety Committee (which includes Mayor Liz Lempert and Council Members Lance Liverman and Heather Howard) or the full Princeton Council. 

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. 

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