The state took over Paterson’s police department nearly three years ago under the old attorney general. City officials want control back. (Photo by Dana DiFilippo/New Jersey Monitor)
One of the first major issues confronting New Jersey’s new attorney general will be the future of the state’s control of the Paterson Police Department.
The state Attorney General’s Office took over the embattled department in March 2023 after years of misconduct and corruption claims aimed at police officers. State officials at the time called it a necessary move to address a crisis, and supporters applauded action from state leaders following a fatal police shooting that roiled the city.
It’s been nearly three years since the takeover, and it’s unknown how Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration will handle the takeover.
Mayor Andre Sayegh said he intends to work with Sherrill’s acting attorney general, former federal prosecutor Jen Davenport. Sayegh sued to stop the takeover, but the New Jersey Supreme Court in July deemed it legal.
Davenport’s nomination to the attorney general post was approved unanimously by the state Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.
“I met her, we had a very productive first meeting, and I’m just looking forward to a partnership,” Sayegh said.
Mike Symons, spokesman for the Attorney General’s Office, declined to comment.
The 2023 takeover came three weeks after community organizer Najee Seabrooks was killed by police while experiencing what his family said was a mental health crisis. Then-Attorney General Matt Platkin said the state would stay involved “for the long haul” and appointed a former New York Police Department official to lead the 300-officer department, who has since been replaced with Pat Murray, a veteran Paterson police officer.
Platkin as attorney general touted crime reductions in Paterson to champion the state takeover. Days before leaving office last month, he said shooting incidents had declined by more than 40% and shooting victims were reduced by over 50% from 2024 to 2025. He also touted a “new era of technology and innovation” at the Paterson Police Department with the debut of a “real-time operations center” and an expansion of its drone fleet.
“These are durable systems built to last,” Platkin said. “They reflect the progress made in Paterson and the foundation that has been established for the future. The work done here shows what is possible when a department is given the tools, leadership, and structure it needs to succeed.”
Mike Cera, executive director of the League of Municipalities, which sided with Sayegh in opposing the takeover, said state control was never intended to be permanent and returning control of the department to the city is “inevitable.”
“Everyone wants it eventually to be returned to the city. I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. I think there’s a desire on both ends to get it done sooner rather than later,” he said.
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