Mercer Times

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has announced the establishment of the Office of Policing Strategy and Innovation (OPSI) within New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety. This initiative aims to enhance policing standards across the state, impacting over 40,000 law enforcement officers in more than 530 agencies.

The OPSI will focus on maintaining consistency among law enforcement bodies to achieve excellence in policing. It will advise on policy, strategy, and innovation while supporting law enforcement in addressing serious concerns. The office is tasked with reviewing current practices, developing training programs, and promoting technological advancements.

"The demands of modern-day policing necessitate a statewide, centralized approach that can advise and support law enforcement agencies and encourage their growth and improvement," said Attorney General Platkin. He emphasized the complexity of contemporary policing roles due to new technologies and evolving strategies.

Isa M. Abbassi has been appointed as the inaugural Executive Director of OPSI. Abbassi previously led the Paterson Police Department (PPD) since May 2023 after a crisis prompted intervention by the Attorney General’s office. Under his leadership, PPD saw an 18% reduction in violent crime in 2023 along with continued declines in murders and shootings in 2024.

Abbassi will be joined by Deputy Executive Directors James Haggerty and Joseph Walsh at OPSI. They played key roles in strategic successes at PPD.

The Bureau of Policing Policy (BPP), created within LPS' Office of Public Integrity and Accountability in 2019, will now operate under OPSI. Its mission includes devising new policies, making existing ones accessible to law enforcement, revising outdated policies, modernizing them for best practices, and eliminating conflicting guidance.

OPSI will coordinate with various offices within LPS on policy matters related to police training standards and data collection for transparency purposes. It will report directly to Attorney General Platkin through First Assistant Attorney General Lyndsay V. Ruotolo.

"This new Office will provide important direction for both improving public safety and supporting the growth and resilience of New Jersey’s police officers," stated Attorney General Platkin about Abbassi's leadership role at OPSI.

Abbassi expressed his commitment: "Through the Office of Policing Strategy and Innovation we will assess New Jersey’s network...to ensure that residents are afforded...the very best public safety system."

While continuing his role as monitor at PPD under Attorney General Platkin's oversight, Patrick Murray takes over daily operations as Officer In Charge following Abbassi’s promotion.

"Executive Director Abbassi...have complete confidence in Officer In Charge Murray," noted Attorney General Platkin regarding this transition within PPD leadership structures—emphasizing Murray's dedication throughout years serving Paterson communities alongside predecessors like Detective Sergeant leading Ceasefire Unit against gun violence citywide since joining forces back during June '85 era footsteps father followed before him too!