Mercer Times

The New Jersey Attorney General, Matthew J. Platkin, has expressed disappointment with a recent court ruling regarding the supersession of the Paterson Police Department. The decision comes nearly two years after the state assumed control of the department, during which time significant resources were invested to improve conditions in Paterson.

Attorney General Platkin announced plans to appeal the ruling to the New Jersey Supreme Court. He emphasized that for decades, supersession has enabled Attorneys General and County Prosecutors to manage law enforcement agencies directly when necessary. This was the case in Paterson following what was described as a "fundamental breakdown of community trust."

Since the state's intervention, there have been notable reductions in violent crimes such as murders, shootings, sexual assaults, and robberies in Paterson. Additionally, officer morale and community trust have reportedly improved significantly.

Platkin stated: "We are enormously proud of the extraordinary progress the Paterson Police Department has made and we remain deeply committed to Paterson and to the crucial work of making the City safer for all its people." He also noted that while they plan to appeal this "wrongful decision," it does not take effect immediately. Emergency relief from the Supreme Court will be sought to maintain the progress achieved so far.