Paterson, New Jersey Police Officials File Lawsuit Against State Attorney General

Background

In a recent development, top officials from the Paterson, New Jersey Police Department have taken legal action against the state Attorney General, Matt Platkin. They claim that Platkin’s takeover of the police department exceeds his constitutional authority.

The Paterson PD came under state supervision in March following the highly-publicized death of Najee Seabrooks during a standoff with officers.

The Lawsuit and State Takeover

The lawsuit filed in Passaic County Superior Court accuses Attorney General Matthew Platkin of overstepping his authority by taking control of the police department in Paterson, the state’s third-largest city. The state intervention was announced in March, less than a month after officers shot and killed Najee Seabrooks, a well-known crisis intervention worker.

Platkin cited a “crisis of confidence in law enforcement” as the reason for assuming control of all police functions, including the internal affairs division. However, he did not specifically mention Seabrooks’ shooting.

Constitutional and Statutory Authority

While New Jersey’s constitution grants the state attorney general direct supervision over county prosecutors and police chiefs, the police chief and acting police director of Paterson argue in their complaint that the state takeover exceeds the limits of Platkin’s statutory and constitutional authority, as reported by NJ.com.

Response from Platkin’s Office

Sharon Lauchaire, a spokesperson for Attorney General Matthew Platkin, dismissed the lawsuit as “meritless” and “unfortunate.” She emphasized that the attorney general’s authority to supersede local law enforcement agencies is well-established and necessary given the history in Paterson.

Previous Involvement in Paterson

The attorney general’s office has been involved in various investigations within Paterson. In February, Platkin announced an aggravated assault charge against a Paterson officer who shot a fleeing unarmed man. In December, a grand jury decided not to indict Paterson police officers involved in the death of a man they had restrained two months earlier.

Mayor’s Perspective

Although not a plaintiff in the lawsuit, Mayor Andre Sayegh considers himself an “interested party” and seeks clarification on the legality of the attorney general’s takeover under state law. Sayegh also expressed frustration that the implementation of significant changes in the police department had been interrupted by the state’s intervention.

State’s Perspective

State officials argue that the takeover has been effective, pointing to a significant decrease in violent crime during the past summer compared to the previous year.