A judge has ruled in favor of the city of Paterson, reversing the state's takeover of the police department.

The takeover was initiated after the release of police body-camera footage showing the death of Najee Sea Brooks, a local activist who was shot and killed by police in March 2023 while experiencing a mental health episode.

Paterson police had sued the attorney general's office last October, claiming the office overstepped its authority.

Attorney General Matt Platkin plans to appeal the court's decision, indicating that the state believes its actions were justified.

Platkin said in a statement, "Supersession has allowed both Attorneys General and County Prosecutors to directly manage law enforcement agencies when the circumstances call for it — as they did in Paterson when our office stepped in following a fundamental breakdown of community trust."

Mayor Andre Sayegh is calling the court's decision a victory, saying, "This ruling reaffirms our city's authority to manage its own police department and sets up a precedent for all municipalities across NJ that the responsibility of the police department rests on the local officials elected by the people."