Judge reverses state's takeover of Paterson Police Department following lawsuit
The takeover was initiated after the release of police body-camera footage showing the death of Najee Seabrooks, a local activist who was shot and killed by police in March 2023 while experiencing a mental health episode.
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A judge 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 video showing the death of Najee Seabrooks, a local activist who was shot and killed by police in March 2023 while experiencing a mental health episode.
Paterson police had sued the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General last October, claiming the office overstepped its authority.
Attorney General Matt Platkin says he plans to appeal the court's decision, indicating that the state believes its actions were justified.
"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,” Platkin wrote in a statement.
RELATED: Paterson police officials sue NJ attorney general for taking over department
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."
The nearly 40-page ruling finds that the attorney general doesn’t have the authority to directly supersede the entire police department. It finds that the attorney general's office is in violation of the state constitution, Home Rule Act and local legislation.
"We didn’t need a takeover, we just needed resources. We were always under-resourced as a police department," said Sayegh.
The ruling also calls for Chief Engelbert Ribiero to be reinstated and for the attorney general’s office to share details about all police-related expenses since its March 2023 takeover.
All actions must be completed within 21 days of the ruling.
