The Paterson Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for the city of Paterson, New Jersey. It has about 400 sworn law enforcement officers and 125 support staff. As of March 2023[update], it is under the control of the Attorney General of New Jersey in response to a series of incidents of misconduct and alleged misconduct, including three controversial shootings.[2]
| Paterson Police Department | |
|---|---|
| Common name | Paterson Police Department |
| Abbreviation | PPD |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | August 1, 1866 |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | Paterson, New Jersey, United States |
 | |
| Map of Paterson in Passaic County. Inset: Passaic County's location in New Jersey. | |
| Size | 8.6mi² |
| Population | 145,647 (2018) |
| Legal jurisdiction | Paterson, New Jersey |
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | 111 Broadway Paterson, NJ 07505 |
| Officers | 400 |
| Unsworn members | 150 |
| Agency executive |
|
| Website | |
| www | |
History
editThe department began operations on August 1, 1866. Before then, the city was protected by a city marshal and five watchmen, one for each ward.[3]
Eight Paterson policemen have died in the line of duty.[4]
In April 2011, 125 officers, described as "a quarter of the officers" were laid off due to budget problems.[5]
In February 2020, the City Council approved an outside audit of the police department following the arrest of an eighth officer involved in a corruption scandal[6][7] and the death of an arrestee.[8][9]
Paterson mayor Andre Sayegh fired police chief Troy Oswald in 2020,[10] and replacement chief Ibrahim Baycora in 2022.[11]
State takeover of department
editThe New Jersey Attorney General took over control of the Paterson Police Department on March 27, 2023, after the fatal police shooting of Najee Seabrooks.[2] Attorney General Matthew Platkin criticized the "revolving door" of police leadership in Paterson, which has resulted in dysfunction within police ranks and a lack of trust in local law enforcement.[12] Platkin's comments alluded to the challenges created by frequent turnover at the top of the police department and the negative impact it has had on community relations.[13]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (May 9, 2023). "NJ attorney general selects NYPD veteran for officer in charge of Paterson Police Department". Gothamist.
- ^ a b Tully, Tracey (2023-03-27). "N.J. Attorney General Seizes Control of Paterson Police Department". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
- ^ "Paterson Police Department History". Police Benevolent Association. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
- ^ "New Jersey". Officer Down Memorial Page. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
- ^ "125 Paterson police officers laid off". ABC-13. 15 April 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
- ^ NJ.com, Anthony G. Attrino | NJ Advance Media for (January 7, 2020). "Paterson police sergeant arrested as FBI corruption investigation widens, cops say". nj.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Auditors outline extensive review of Paterson Police Department". North Jersey.
- ^ "Paterson council approves audit of city police department". North Jersey.
- ^ "National Law Enforcement Experts Launch 9-Month Audit of Paterson Police Department". TAPinto.
- ^ Rahman, Jayed (2020-01-30). "Paterson bids farewell to its popular police chief Troy Oswald". Paterson Times. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
- ^ NJ.com, Richard Cowen | NJ Advance Media for (2022-09-13). "Paterson officials fire police chief, allege he slept in meetings as crime surged". nj. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
- ^ Greene, Jonathan (2023-03-27). "New Jersey attorney general assumes control of Paterson police force". Paterson Times. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
- ^ Greene, Jonathan (2023-03-27). "New Jersey attorney general assumes control of Paterson police force". Paterson Times. Retrieved 2023-05-08.