Princeton swears in three probationary police officers after year-long recruitment

Princeton Mayor Mark Frieda and police leaders on Tuesday administered the oath of office to three probationary police officers — Nicole Carinante, Jordan Nitti and Connor Lucky — formalizing their appointments to the Princeton Police Department. The ceremony, held at the municipal meeting, followed remarks from the department outlining a recruitment process that began in March and attracted more than 140 applicants. Police leadership said candidates completed a physical fitness test, four interviews and extensive background checks before selection. The department described the oath as “more than a formality” and emphasized its core values of honor, knowledge, integrity and service. The new officers’ biographical details were read at the meeting: Carinante previously served as a class two police officer in Point Pleasant Beach and holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Kean University; Nitti studied criminal justice at Stockton University and interned with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and is scheduled to graduate from the Mercer County Police Academy in January 2026; Lucky studied criminology and criminal justice at William Paterson University and served as an intern with the Princeton Police Department and is also scheduled to graduate from the Mercer County Police Academy in January 2026. The mayor and council invited the new officers and their families to remain for the council meeting and for photographs afterward. No formal council vote was required for the swearing-in, which the council treated as a ceremonial personnel action.