Court rules new jersey, governor murphy had no authority to seize control of local police department
Paterson, NJ - USA - Dec. 6, 2020: Landscape view old red brick factory buildings that made up Paterson, NJ near the great falls.

Court Rules New Jersey, Governor Murphy Had No Authority to Seize Control of Local Police Department

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1 min read
December 18, 2024

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.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

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