Crime & Safety

Princeton Police Chief Sutter To Retire

Princeton Police Chief Nicholas Sutter announced his retirement effective Oct. 1 after 25 years of service.

Princeton Police Chief Nicholas Sutter announced his retirement effective Oct. 1 after 25 years of service.
Princeton Police Chief Nicholas Sutter announced his retirement effective Oct. 1 after 25 years of service. (Courtesy of Princeton Police)

PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton Police Chief Nicholas Sutter announced his retirement effective Oct. 1 after 25 years of service with the borough and police department.

Sutter said he made the decision after many months of deliberation with family, friends and colleagues.

"Leading this department for over seven years has been the culmination of a life-long dream. My colleagues have become my extended family. It is the men and women of this department and my friendships with all of them that have made this decision so difficult. I am honored to have served this community for all of these years," Sutter said.

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Sutter was serving in charge when the Municipality of Princeton was created and helped merge the two different police department cultures.

"Chief Sutter has believed in Princeton since the first day he raised his hand and took that oath and that is evident in the way leadership and work ethic benefited the people of Princeton as well as the officers in the department. His ability to bridge gaps and overcome barriers to bring solutions to the table is his greatest asset. He will be leaving the Princeton PD well prepared and poised for success in a new era of modern day, 21st century policing. Thank you for all the good you have done, Chief. We wish you well!" Princeton shared on its Facebook page.

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Sutter will be working with Mayor Liz Lempert and the council to find a new chief.

"Our department has never been in a better position to focus on the tremendous challenges presently facing us and the changes law enforcement in our nation is undoubtedly going to experience. Our officers deserve consistent and transformational leadership that will result in positive change moving forward," Sutter said. "Change is not new to our department and our leadership is prepared to continue the type of forward thinking, positive change we have been advocating now for over seven years."

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