WMBCTV: Local control over Paterson Police Department to be restored

Reaction continues to pour in after a judge has ruled that control of the Paterson Police Department be restored to the city of Paterson. It’s the latest development in a battle for control over law enforcement in New Jersey’s third largest city.

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh is praising the New Jersey Appellate Division’s decision to reverse the Attorney General’s supersession of the Paterson Police Department. The court’s ruling restores operational control of the department to Paterson and reinstates Chief Engelbert Ribeiro to his position. Mayor Sayegh spoke at yesterday’s police academy graduation.

“The Attorney General exceeded his authority, that it was an overreach on his part,” Sayegh said.

Sayegh says the city will work quickly to comply with the court’s directives and ensure a smooth transition of leadership and operations.

“I want to thank my corporation council who has given me guidance through this entire ordeal. In fact, we put a game plan together. We executed accordingly,” Sayegh said. “There’s no denying that we needed resources… We just didn’t need a takeover, so we’ll take the resources but we will not take an overreach.”

While Mayor Sayegh says he plans to hold a press conference later on today, he did speak to us with early comments on the situation.

“It’s a victory for democracy. What Matt Platkin did was both unlawful and undemocratic,” Sayegh said. “I was duly elected by the people of Paterson. I am held accountable by the people of Paterson. He definitely exceeded his authority and the court made it clear. It was a resounding rebuke of his illegal action.”

Mayor Sayegh also provides early comments on what he hopes for in this transition.

“We’re just waiting, there’s a stay,” Sayegh said. “But, hopefully, we get our police department back within a week or so and our chief is back.”

New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin says in a statement that he is disappointed with the ruling and will be appealing the decision to the state’s Supreme Court. The decision comes about two years after the state took control of the Paterson Police Department and has spent millions improving conditions in the city. According to the attorney general’s office - since taking over - murders, shootings, robberies, and other violent crimes have all plummeted.