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PRINCETON: Sutter likely as next police chief

Police Capt. Nicholas K. Sutter is in line to become the next police chief, as officials turn to the veteran officer to lead a department that has had its share of internal divisions.

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
   Police Capt. Nicholas K. Sutter is in line to become the next police chief, as officials turn to the veteran officer to lead a department that has had its share of internal divisions.
   Town Administrator Robert W. Bruschi was due Monday to recommend to the Princeton Council that Capt. Sutter be the only candidate officials consider to run a force of around 50 sworn officers.
   Mr. Bruschi, speaking earlier in the day at Mayor Liz Lempert’s press conference, described a “multi-pronged approach” that would include Capt. Sutter interviewing with the council and a review of his service record. There also would be a public presentation in which Capt. Sutter states his goals and objectives.
   Capt. Sutter could not be reached for comment Monday.
   Asked to explain his recommendation, Mr. Bruschi replied: “Because with the way the rank is, with experience and the like, I feel that that is the best interest of the community.”
   Mr. Bruschi said he intended to propose a “fairly aggressive” schedule for how the process should proceed. Mayor Lempert said last week that a selection could come in March.
   The Princeton Council, last week agreeing to have a chief rather than some other kind of leadership structure, still has to vote to appoint Capt. Sutter as chief.
   Capt. Sutter has had the past year to essentially audition for the job. Former Chief David J. Dudeck went on extended medical leave at the end of February 2013 and never returned to the post amid allegations of administrative misconduct. Mr. Dudeck retired as of Sept.1 just shy of 30 years as a police officer, while the police union withdrew its allegations.
   Mr. Bruschi said he thinks “there is a very high confidence level in where Captain Sutter has taken the department over the past year.” He added that Capt. Sutter was “baptized by fire.”
   Capt. Sutter has received good reviews from officials. Mayor Lempert, speaking to reporters last week, said Capt. Sutter has “done remarkably well and has also been instrumental in having the department do really great community outreach.”
   He has been a police officer for just shy of 20 years, first in the former borough and now in the consolidated Princeton, Mr. Bruschi said.
   Prior to consolidation, the borough and township police forces had their share of internal squabbles and abrupt leadership departures. At the moment, seven current and former officers are suing Mr. Dudeck and the town over Mr. Dudeck’s alleged use of coarse, sexually graphic language in the workplace. They have alleged an array of discrimination.