Four Princeton police officers were ceremonially sworn into their new posts, including Chief of Police Christopher Tash, at a recent Princeton Council meeting.
Police Captain Matthew Solovay and police lieutenants Christopher Craven and Leonard Thomas also were sworn into office at the Princeton Council’s Oct. 14 meeting.
Princeton police officers filed into the Princeton Council chambers and lined up against the walls. They were followed by the Princeton Police Department’s color guard. Mayor Mark Freda welcomed the police officers and the attendees.
Tash, who assumed his new duties Aug. 1 following the retirement of former Chief of Police Jon Bucchere, was ceremonially sworn into office by Freda. He became the fourth chief of police since the former Princeton Borough and Princeton Township police departments merged in 2013.
Tash joined the former Princeton Borough Police Department in 2000. He was promoted to sergeant in 2010 in the Princeton Borough Police Department and to lieutenant in the newly consolidated Princeton Police Department in 2017. He was promoted to captain in 2022.
Tash graduated from Stockton University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He earned a master’s degree in administrative science from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Tash thanked his family and friends for their support. He also acknowledged retired Princeton police chiefs Charles Davall, Nicholas Sutter and Jon Bucchere as his mentors.
“This is an incredible opportunity for me to serve as your chief of police,” Tash told the attendees. “I want you to know that your voices matter. I am here to listen and the Princeton Police Department is here to listen.”
Tash praised the police officers. The Princeton Police Department is recognized annually as one of the premier police departments in New Jersey because of the police officers’ hard work, dedication and professionalism.
“I am reaffirming my commitment to the community and to the officers,” he said. “Together, we will make Princeton a safe and welcoming community for all.”
Solovay took on his new duties Sept. 23. He began his career with the former Princeton Township Police Department in 2005, following his graduation from the John H. Stamler Police Academy in Union County.
He was promoted to corporal in 2011 and to the rank of sergeant in 2016. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2020.
Solovay helped to establish the Princeton Police Department’s K9 program, which pairs a police officer with a specially trained dog. He became the department’s first K9 handler.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Seton Hall University and a master’s degree in administrative science from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He is preparing to attend the 294th session of the FBI National Academy in March 2025.
Solovay said his promotion to captain is not just a personal milestone, but a testament to the trust placed in him by many of the people present at the swearing-in ceremony. He promised to lead by example and to listen to the police officers.
The rank of captain, which is one rank below chief of police, is a privilege and a reflection of the teamwork, dedication and commitment that the Princeton Police Department and its officers share as a cohesive unit, Solovay said.
“To the community, you are the reason why we wear this badge,” he said to the attendees. “Every decision and every action that we take is done with your safety in mind.”
Craven and Thomas, the two new lieutenants, began their new duties Aug. 1.
Craven grew up in Brick Township and graduated from Brick Township High School in 2001. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Rowan University in 2006.
Craven graduated from the Ocean County Police Academy. He began his career in law enforcement in 2007 as a Class II special law enforcement officer for the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department.
Craven joined the former Princeton Borough Police Department in 2008. He was promoted to sergeant in 2020. He has received the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Distinguished Service Award.
Thomas grew up in Princeton and graduated from Princeton High School in 2001. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Drew University in 2005, and a master’s degree in administrative science from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2013.
He completed the Cornell University diversity, equity and inclusion program in 2021.
Thomas graduated from the Cape May Police Academy and joined the former Princeton Borough Police Department in 2006. He was promoted to corporal in 2017 and to sergeant in 2019. He was made a detective sergeant in 2023.
Thomas earned the New Jersey Division of Highway Safety’s Top Gun DWI (driving while intoxicated) enforcement award. He has received multiple Distinguished Service Awards from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MAAD).
