Princeton Council met in closed session Monday, April 8, to discuss the matter of Police Chief David Dudeck, who has not been at his post since February 27 following allegations of administrative misconduct.

Mr. Dudeck joined the Princeton Borough Police Department in 1983. In 2009, when Borough Chief Anthony Federico died suddenly, Mr. Dudeck succeeded him. Mr. Dudeck was appointed as chief of the Police Department for the consolidated Princeton on January 1, this year.

Questioned on Tuesday about Monday night’s meeting, Mayor Lempert said that she was unable to comment as it was a personnel matter. She was also unable to say whether Mr. Dudeck was being offered some sort of “package settlement” that would allow him to complete his 30-year tenure with the police on October 1, thus ensuring his retirement with higher pension than if he steps down before that date.

The town’s public safety committee had given Mr. Dudeck a deadline of Monday, March 4 to decide whether to retire or face an investigation into the administrative misconduct charges. That deadline was subsequently extended and Mr. Dudeck continues to weigh his options.

His long absence suggests to some that he is not thinking about returning to the department. According to Princeton Administrator Bob Bruschi, he is officially on sick leave.

The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office has reviewed the allegations but until they are asked by Princeton Council to open an investigation, they will not do so. And the Council, says Mr. Bruschi, is awaiting Mr. Dudeck’s decision as to whether he wishes to retire or to fight the allegations. If he decides to retire, there will be no investigation. If he chooses to fight the allegations, then the prosecutor’s office will look into each and every specific alleged instance of misconduct.

“I don’t believe that we will head in that direction,” said Mr. Bruschi, “But it is in Dave’s hands as to whether he wants to go through with this process or to retire.”

“This is a methodical process,” said Mr. Bruschi. “I’m confidant that it can be resolved and soon. After almost 30 years on the force, Dave has accumulated entitlements in terms of significant vacation time and this is part of the discussion. Is this a ‘buy out’ of some sort? No. It’s a structuring of how he might conclude his time. The ultimate decision is his.”

In the police chief’s absence the daily operation of the Princeton Police Department is in the hands of Captain Nick Sutter. “Captain Sutter has been doing a fantastic job,” said Ms. Lempert, adding that “It would be premature to discuss a replacement for Chief Dudeck at this point.”

During his 29-year tenure with Borough police, no complaints of harassment were filed against Mr. Dudeck. That they have surfaced so very soon after consolidation has prompted questions about their timing. As is standard procedure, the recent allegations were reported to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. To avoid any conflict of interest, such claims would not be investigated by the police department’s internal affairs officer.

Since 1999, Mr. Dudeck has been head football coach of the Hun School of Princeton, his alma mater. Prior to that, he was head coach of Princeton High School from 1995 to 1998, and associate head coach from 1989 to 1995.