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New Plainsboro police chief is sworn in at ceremony

By Kristine Snodgrass, Staff Writer
   PLAINSBORO — New Plainsboro Police Chief Richard Furda took his ceremonial oath of office Tuesday night at the Plainsboro Township Committee meeting.
   After a weeks-long selection process, Chief Furda was chosen to replace Elizabeth Bondurant, who retired this month. Mayor Peter Cantu said that the township is pleased with the selection.
   ”We think that (Chief Furda) has outstanding qualifications,” Mayor Cantu said. “He served in practically every function within the police department and served very well.”
   Chief Furda has served the department since 1985, first spending two years in the Patrol Division before becoming a juvenile detective for six months. In 1989, he took a position as a sergeant and continued to work in the Patrol Division until 1995 when he became a detective sergeant, leading the department’s Detective Bureau. Last year, he achieved the rank of lieutenant, taking over administrative duties for the department.
   Chief Furda, who has been on the job since Oct. 1, said his predecessor ran the department very effectively.
   ”Chief Bondurant left me with a very stable platform to work from,” he said.
   An early challenge he will face as chief is the speed of retirements, he said.
   ”We have a whole lot of new officers on board,” he said. “It’s kind of a rejuvenation for the department.”
   Four officers have been hired since August, he said, bringing the force to 34 officers. The force will also be increasing training programs to improve officers’ proficiency and dealing with difficult situations, he said.
   In addition to training at the Middlesex County Police Academy, Chief Furda holds a bachelor’s degree in law and justice from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in human services administration from Rider University. He is also a doctoral candidate in the Fielding Graduate Institute’s School of Human and Organizational Systems.
   Chief Bondurant, a 25-year veteran of the force, retired this month. Chief Bondurant, who has also worked as a Mercer County Community College law enforcement professor, said she intends to pursue teaching as a career and continue in some law enforcement capacity.