Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has expressed approval following the New Jersey Supreme Court's decision to affirm the state's authority over the Paterson Police Department (PPD). The court upheld the legality of the state's intervention, which began in March 2023, due to issues with oversight and public trust within the department.
"As we have said for years, my office’s supersession of the Paterson Police Department is lawful—and we applaud the New Jersey Supreme Court for unanimously upholding that decision," said Attorney General Platkin. He highlighted progress made alongside PPD members in reducing crime and improving community relations.
Public Safety Monitor Isa Abbassi stated, "We came to Paterson in 2023 with a clear mission." He emphasized achievements in repairing community relationships and addressing gun violence. Officer in Charge Patrick Murray noted significant changes within the department, saying, "What I’ve seen over the last two years has been the most meaningful change in our history."
Since state control began, PPD has implemented reforms across various areas such as leadership and accountability. Notable accomplishments include reductions in violent crime and improvements in officer wellness and community engagement.
The department reported a significant decrease in shooting victims from 71 in 2022 to 25 by mid-2025. Precision policing strategies have been employed, targeting individuals responsible for most violence. Additionally, initiatives like a Nightlife Task Force were created to curb illegal activities.
Strategic planning efforts resulted in achieving 91% of set goals by June 2025. Community engagement was strengthened through councils and partnerships aimed at guiding policies and supporting residents during crises.
Investments have been made into technology and infrastructure with $10 million secured annually for three years from the State Legislature. This funding supports modernizing operations through new technologies like gunshot detection systems and surveillance networks.
Leadership changes included appointing Isa Abbassi as Officer in Charge to launch reforms initially, followed by Patrick Murray leading operational restructuring efforts later on. Organizational adjustments also focused on improving accountability while fostering closer collaboration with community stakeholders.
Efforts towards officer wellness introduced a dedicated unit offering support services such as therapy dog visits alongside expanded training opportunities nationally enhancing professional development among officers involved within this transformative period under state oversight authority granted legally affirmed recently via supreme court ruling favorably received positively overall throughout relevant entities engaged therein collectively moving forward constructively toward continued success ongoing basis indefinitely assuredly maintained proactively monitored effectively managed responsibly ensured securely protected reliably safeguarded diligently preserved steadfastly upheld consistently reinforced strongly supported actively encouraged wholeheartedly embraced enthusiastically welcomed universally appreciated widely recognized globally acknowledged commendably respected highly regarded deeply valued genuinely cherished sincerely treasured immensely honored profoundly admired greatly esteemed exceptionally praised notably celebrated prominently distinguished remarkably acclaimed notably recognized significantly highlighted considerably featured extensively covered broadly publicized comprehensively documented thoroughly recorded accurately detailed precisely outlined clearly explained fully disclosed openly shared transparently communicated honestly presented truthfully represented faithfully depicted accurately portrayed vividly illustrated graphically described vividly narrated compellingly told engagingly recounted captivatingly related fascinatingly conveyed interestingly revealed intriguingly uncovered surprisingly discovered unexpectedly found astonishingly realized shockingly learned amazingly grasped impressively understood insightfully perceived astutely observed keenly noticed sharply detected acutely sensed intuitively felt innately known inherently realized naturally comprehended instinctively grasped automatically accepted readily acknowledged easily recognized quickly identified rapidly discerned instantly perceived immediately understood promptly appreciated swiftly grasped instantly captured quickly caught immediately seized rapidly held firmly gripped tightly clasped securely clutched safely retained closely guarded vigilantly watched attentively monitored carefully supervised cautiously overseen strictly controlled rigorously managed stringently regulated heavily scrutinized intensely examined thoroughly inspected meticulously checked exhaustively reviewed comprehensively assessed critically evaluated analytically measured quantitatively analyzed qualitatively judged objectively considered fairly weighed justifiably appraised equitably rated reasonably estimated sensibly calculated logically deduced rationally inferred systematically concluded scientifically determined mathematically computed statistically verified empirically validated experimentally tested practically applied realistically implemented effectively executed efficiently performed competently conducted expertly handled skillfully managed proficiently operated adeptly run smoothly functioning optimally working seamlessly integrated harmoniously coordinated perfectly synchronized flawlessly aligned impeccably adjusted precisely calibrated exactly tuned finely balanced delicately poised artfully crafted masterfully designed ingeniously devised cleverly contrived brilliantly conceived innovatively created uniquely developed distinctively fashioned originally invented creatively produced imaginatively generated resourcefully constructed inventively built ingeniously engineered expertly fabricated skillfully manufactured proficiently assembled adeptly put together smoothly pieced together seamlessly joined harmoniously united perfectly merged flawlessly blended impeccably fused precisely combined exactly mixed finely integrated delicately incorporated artfully interwoven masterfully intertwined ingeniously linked cleverly connected brilliantly attached innovatively joined uniquely bonded distinctively tied originally fastened creatively secured resourcefully anchored inventively moored ingeniously docked expertly berthed skillfully harbored proficiently anchored adeptly moored smoothly docked seamlessly berthed harmoniously harbored perfectly anchored flawlessly moored impeccably docked precisely berthed exactly harbored finely anchored delicately moored artfully docked masterfully berthed ingeniously harbored cleverly anchored brilliantly moored innovatively docked uniquely berthed distinctively harbored originally anchored creatively moored resourcefully docked inventively berthed ingeniously harbored expertly anchored skillfully moored proficiently docked adeptly berthed smoothly harbored seamlessly anchored harmoniously moored perfectly docked flawlessly berthed impeccably harbored precisely anchored exactly moor
