Report on Princeton Police Will Be Presented at Special Meeting Tonight

princeton policeA consulting firm will present its findings to the governing body of Princeton tonight regarding the operations of the Princeton Police Department.

The special council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the main meeting room at the municipal building at 400 Witherspoon Street.

The audit addresses issues regarding how the police department functions and looks at personnel issues, but it does not address the size of the police department and how many police officers the town should have. The issue of the size of the department is being looked at separately.

Earlier this year, former police chief David Dudeck was suspended after allegations were made that he used inappropriate language with officers. The town, Dudeck and the police union agreed to a settlement in which all charges against him would be dropped if he retired. Dudeck retired. Seven officers then filed a suit against Dudeck and the town for sexual harassment and discrimination. That suit is still pending.

Another suit is pending regarding the termination of two former Princeton Township police officers. The officers were forced to resign when Chief Mark Emann was removed as chief because he accepted a rifle and a revolver as gifts from a gun dealer when trading in police department firearms for new department weapons.

The Rodgers Group, a public safety consulting firm, was hired by the town this summer to conduct an audit of the police department. Both Princetons previously used the firm for consulting work. There was not competitive bidding process or selection process when the town selected the firm. The contract for the audit was $11,495 plus fees for holding focus groups.

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Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.