Paterson police to be equipped with body cameras following corruption probe

Officers in the Paterson Police Department will soon be outfitted with body cameras – a decision that comes after the FBI arrested eight officers in a corruption investigation.

News 12 Staff

Jan 14, 2020, 10:48 PM

Updated 1,556 days ago

Share:

Officers in the Paterson Police Department will soon be outfitted with body cameras – a decision that comes after the FBI arrested eight officers in a corruption investigation.
Mayor Andre Sayegh says that putting cameras on the city’s 150 police officers benefits everyone.
“Because it holds everyone accountable in every interaction,” the mayor says. “Police officers and whomsoever is part of that incident.
The city will pay a company named Axon Enterprise $600,000 for the cameras and video storage over a 5-year period. The money will come from forfeiture funds.
The cameras also come one year after the death of Paterson resident Jameek Lowery, who died while in police custody. Sayegh says that if police had cameras at the time, it is possible that the case would have played out differently.
"It would've given more clarity early on without having to wait for an autopsy. You would've seen exactly what the officers did,” he says.
Lowery, 27, showed up at police headquarters behaving erratically and claiming he took too much ecstasy. An investigation showed that he tried to fight off police officers as they placed him in an ambulance and that police had to use force to keep him down.
An autopsy showed he had meningitis and had ingested the drug known as “Bath Salts.” The report stated that Lowery didn't die because of police brutality.
The mayor says that perhaps if the cameras were in use, the public would've known much sooner what really happened.
"We just want to make sure on both sides, public and police, we know what's happening,” Sayegh says.
Officers should be receiving the cameras within the next few months.


More from News 12
0:22
Police: Marlboro teacher accused of inappropriately touching student faces charges

Police: Marlboro teacher accused of inappropriately touching student faces charges

1:55
Scattered rain showers overnight; sunshine returns Saturday afternoon

Scattered rain showers overnight; sunshine returns Saturday afternoon

1:54
Authorities: 2 children at Port Reading school become sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies

Authorities: 2 children at Port Reading school become sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies

2:45
Business owners say they are losing business due to Route 71 bridge being stuck in up position

Business owners say they are losing business due to Route 71 bridge being stuck in up position

1:42
Prosecutor: Remains found at Wall construction site were of ‘advanced age’

Prosecutor: Remains found at Wall construction site were of ‘advanced age’

0:27
Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

0:25
Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

0:48
Ridgewood mayor shares photos showcasing renovation of former Warner Theater

Ridgewood mayor shares photos showcasing renovation of former Warner Theater

1:37
Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

0:31
Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

0:35
How to get rid of unused or expired medications

How to get rid of unused or expired medications

2:51
EPA: Elevated levels of lead found at multiple East Trenton homes, parks

EPA: Elevated levels of lead found at multiple East Trenton homes, parks

0:36
NJ General Assembly passes bill to combat school bus driver shortage

NJ General Assembly passes bill to combat school bus driver shortage

0:24
Former NJ elementary school employee sentenced for possession of child porn involving at least 79 victims

Former NJ elementary school employee sentenced for possession of child porn involving at least 79 victims

2:32
Main Street New Jersey: Some great food spots to try in South River

Main Street New Jersey: Some great food spots to try in South River

0:25
NJ Department of Education awarding over $9 million in grants to help students with disabilities

NJ Department of Education awarding over $9 million in grants to help students with disabilities

2:19
Paws & Pals: Ellie Mae now up for adoption with Best Friend Dog and Animal Adoption

Paws & Pals: Ellie Mae now up for adoption with Best Friend Dog and Animal Adoption

Is your mom awesome? New Jersey tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? New Jersey tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12