Police Chief Buchanan to Retire Next Week

Robert Buchanan started working for the Princeton Township Police Department on April 1, 1980.

On Tuesday he announced his retirement as police chief, effective April 1, 2012.

“I’ve been going back and forth, trying to decide,” Buchanan, 57, told Patch on Wednesday. “I love my job, I love my department and I’m proud of it. But I just figured it would be nice to start enjoying the good weather. I’ll play golf, ride my motorcycle and fly helicopters, that’s my intention.”

Buchanan said his retirement has nothing to do with consolidation and he would likely have put in his papers at the end of the year or early next year even without consolidation.

Still, he admits he did not want to be reconsidered for his job.

“I don’t want to compete with Chief Dudeck for a position I already hold,” he said. “I want to go out on a high note, I think that it's time.”

Buchanan’s announcement means the new governing body of Princeton may have one less decision to make once Princeton Borough and Princeton Township consolidate into one community effective Jan. 1, 2013. 

Police Chief David Dudeck, who oversees Princeton Borough Police, will be the only remaining police chief, although Lt. Chris Morgan will head the department on an interim basis.

Princeton officials could decide to name Dudeck as the new Police Chief or could reach down into the ranks of either department for a chief. They could also decide to look outside for a replacement.

Over the years, Buchanan has held every position in the Township Police Department, except corporal, and that’s only because he created the corporal’s position when he was lieutenant.

Born and raised in Princeton, Buchanan was an eighth grader at the former Valley Road School when a police officer named Al Funk came into his classroom to talk to students. Buchanan knew then he would pursue a career in law enforcement.

“I said ‘This is what I want to do,’” Buchanan remembered.  “I was so impressed with that guy.”

When he grew up and joined the department first as a patrolman, then detective, Funk became his partner and mentor.

Buchanan has spent 32 years working in Princeton and a total of 37 years in law enforcement.

He was officially named Princeton Township Police Chief in March, 2011, after the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office announced criminal investigation into then-Chief Mark Emman, Lt. Michael Henderson and Cpl. Arthur Villaruz for allegedly selling township property. 

All three men were served with administrative charges, were suspended and later resigned.

Under Buchanan’s leadership, the department has thrived, hiring new officers and continuing its focus on community policing.

Buchanan lives in Ewing with Margaret, his wife of 25 years, and the couple’s sons Peter and Cody.

Chief Buchanan, who is rarely without a kind word or a smile for residents and colleagues, said on Tuesday that he is ready for some time off since he’s been employed in one capacity or another since he was 14 years old.

“Ticket books were made out of stone when I started,” he laughed.