PATERSON, NJ — New Jersey’s takeover of a North Jersey police department has been deemed illegal by a judge today.
New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin announced plans to appeal a court ruling that declared his office’s takeover of the Paterson Police Department in March 2023 unlawful. The appellate court’s decision on Wednesday ordered Platkin to return control of the department to city officials, citing the lack of municipal consent for the state’s intervention.
Platkin assumed oversight of the department after the fatal police shooting of Najee Seabrooks, an anti-violence advocate who was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the incident.
The state takeover reassigned Paterson Police Chief Engelbert Ribeiro and aimed to rebuild community trust while addressing systemic issues.
In a statement, Platkin defended the state’s actions, highlighting significant reductions in murders, shootings, and other violent crimes in Paterson since the takeover, as well as improved officer morale and community trust. “We are enormously proud of the extraordinary progress the Paterson Police Department has made,” he said, pledging to seek emergency relief from the New Jersey Supreme Court to maintain state oversight during the appeals process.
Paterson Mayor André Sayegh, who had sued alongside other city officials to regain control, welcomed the ruling, calling it a “victory for local governance.” The court instructed Platkin to reinstate Chief Ribeiro and return control to city leaders unless an appeal is filed within three business days. If appealed, state oversight will remain in effect until the next round of appeals concludes.
The case has sparked debate over the state’s authority to intervene in municipal law enforcement agencies and the balance between local governance and state oversight during crises.
