takeover Something has to change, and it will change starting now. The number of excessive-force complaints against Camden police offices has since declined. (AP Photo/Mike Catalini, File). Thomas said he was disturbed that Platkin had been planning the state takeover for months to address a problem the activist asserted needed quick action to prevent new problems. Isa Abbassi, a 25-year veteran of the New York Police Department currently serving as the chief of strategic initiatives there, will take charge of Patersons police department in May, Platkin said. Officials say the new chief, Isa Abbassi, will be sworn in this May. State actions against local departments are less common because of local control is often stipulated in state constitutions. They have asserted that the election fraud charges against them were orchestrated by Sayeghs political allies in Trenton. | Editorial, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Mayor Andre Sayegh who has had close ties to Gov. At the same time, six rogue Paterson cops were getting their prison sentences in federal court, and, soon afterward, the city was hit with a trio of police excessive force lawsuits involving two other officers, who are still facing federal criminal charges. In the past several years, six Paterson officers have also been convicted of stealing cash and other items from residents who were searched illegally, in violation of federal civil rights laws. Paterson police supporters took Platkins talk of additional resources as a hopeful sign that the state would improve the department. Chief Ribeiro will remain on the force, Mr. Platkin said, but will no longer lead the department. Please understand that we will not and cannot silence our voices nor ignore the situation in our community, said a letter signed by the Rev. Paterson Black Lives Matter leader Zellie Thomas said he was troubled that the vast majority of Civilian Complaint Review Board allegations filed against Abbassi came from Black and brown residents.. The process of analyzing needs and resources within the department is currently underway, but it will take some time before that process is complete.. Social justice activist Corey Teague said he was satisfied with the state takeover for the time being.". var dt = new Date(); But the Attorney General's Office said Abbassi will hold his own series of community meetings after he starts work in Paterson next week. Joe Malinconico is editor of Paterson Press. One of the nights last speakers was Dellwanna Miller of the I Am My Sister group, which is composed of mothers who lost their children to gun violence in Paterson. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Both involved an incident in Brooklyn on July 4, 2013, according to NYPD records. It isnt clear how long the takeover will last. Abbassis strategic vision includes such efforts to build bridges among the many roles of community policing, but those activities are cited toward the bottom of his list. Mr. Seabrooks also sent text messages to colleagues at the collective, asking them to come and help him navigate an emotional crisis, but the police did not permit them to intervene. During the afternoon press conference, Platkin said there have been dozens of instances in which the Attorney General's Office took control of local police departments. In the interim, thecity Police Department will be overseen by Major Fred Fife of the NewJerseyStatePolice, Platkin said. Paterson police Lt. Mason Maher, president of the union that represents Patersons ranking police officers, said there remain many questions about the new command structure. The office said the state would provide support to correct many of the deficiencies in technology, equipment, training, and investigative resources. The state also said it will continue paying the salaries of lawyers and law enforcement officials from the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety assigned to the Paterson Police Department. He said the letter was designed as an attack on him and Jackson by two supporters of Mayor Andre Sayegh. Were here for the long haul, Mr. Platkin said about the city of Paterson. That move drew criticism five years ago from activists who questioned the need for a police substation in one of Patersons lowest crime areas. Patersons mayor, Andr Sayegh, has said that Justice Department intervention is unnecessary, citing steps he has taken to report rogue officers to the F.B.I. Platkin said the takeover amounted to a pledge to residents and officers that the state is committed to safety in the city. Phil Murphys administration also was not present for the event. Platkin said he was aware of the complaints. Platkin said hes in for the long haul.. Price is known for his work with the community policing unit. But the tension increased when he told police he was armed with a pocket rocket gun and a knife. Its an acknowledgment that there are deep-seated issues in Paterson, said Yannick Wood, director of criminal justice reform at the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. Platkin said the NYPD picked Abbassi to take a key command position in Staten Island after the controversial police custody death of Eric Garner in 2014. Some residents say state takeover of Paterson Police Department was long overdue By Elijah Westbrook, Christine Sloan Updated on: March 28, 2023 / 8:32 PM / CBS "Arrive Together pairs a plain clothes officer trained in crisis intervention with a mental health screener in an unmarked vehicle to respond to 911 calls for service related to mental health or behavioral health crises," Platkin said. 2023 www.northjersey.com. Barbara Martinez of the Healing Collective said authorities should stop sending a militant police force to respond to 911 calls involving people in emotional distress. I am exercising this extraordinary power of my office to better support your department, the attorney general said. That area currentlyis being used for a variety of social services such as camps, basketball, conferences, community meetings and holiday events,housing officials said. Please enter valid email address to continue. Three weeks after a deadly police shooting in Paterson, N.J., the states attorney general, Matthew J. Platkin, announced on Monday that his office would take over A change is needed.. He also worked with the Paterson Coalition Against Substance Abuse (P-CASA), an organization that campaigned to discourage young people from doing drugs. Attorney General Matthew Platkin said Patersons new chief, Engelbert Ribeiro, was being relieved of command after less than a month on the job and the new officer in charge would beIsa Abbassi, a 25-yearveteran New York City cop credited with improving community relations after the police-custody killing of Eric Garner on Staten Island in 2014. As the takeover was announced, residents in attendance clapped and shouted in approval. Najee Seabrooks: The fatal police shooting of a Paterson activist and its aftermath. It has to be transformational change, he said. Paterson Police Department takeover: Why activists will 'wait and Matthew Platkin considered Paterson Police Department Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. Besides Sayegh, making the trip to Nebraska are Paterson Public Safety Director Jerry Speziale and Chief Engelbert Ribeiro, who was relieved of command as part of the state takeover. Law enforcement officers have fired their weapons at least seven times targeting people in Paterson, resulting in six deaths. NJ takes over Paterson police after crisis workers shooting Theres probably countless other incidents we dont know about because there isnt any footage, Thomas said. Our administration has been in close communication with Major Fife and Deputy Attorney General Joe Walsh regarding the allocation of state resources to the city of Paterson and its police department, read the statement issued by Sayeghs staff. While seeking information about the Seabrooks case and subsequent state takeover, the letter went into the most depth regarding the election fraud charges against Paterson City Council members Michael Jackson and Alex Mendez, which has been pending since June 2020. Capt. Take Over Paterson Police Phil Murphy, in a statement released Monday, expressed support for Platkin's move and lauded Platkin's announcement that the ARRIVE Together initiative a experimental new program from Platkin's office that aims to rethink how police interact with people experiencing mental health crises would be launched in Passaic County. We spoke to a number of folks, and his name kept coming up.. The state attorney general made the surprising move Mondayfollowing a high-profile police shooting earlier this month -- and years of police misconduct allegations. NJ attorney general plans Paterson police takeover community Besides the takeover, Platkin said hes implementing some other changes. You never hire someone making $164k pension and giving them $105k more when unemployment is soaring in your dump of a community. That doesnt show me they want the community to be part of the solution, Jackson said. We support your presence here in Paterson, said the letter, dated April 15. Platkin also formed a working group to study and make recommendations on interactions between police officers and violence intervention officers. I dont care how long it takes.. Major Frederick P. Fife of the New Jersey State Police, a former special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, assumed operational control of the Paterson Police Department on Monday morning. Paterson community policing group will have role in arrests now State police takeovers are uncommon but similar moves made in two other New Jersey cities. In 1998, the state took over Camdens police department after concluding that the force was understaffed and inefficient and had ignored recommendations to improve. Najee Seabrooks was shot and killed by police officers in Paterson, N.J., after an hourslong standoff. Rather, the actions taken by my office today represent a pledge to the residents and officers of Paterson that the state of New Jersey is committed to the safety and success of the entire Paterson community.. New Jersey lawmakers are considering letting Danish offshore wind developer Orsted keep tax credits that it otherwise would have to return to ratepayers. The Attorney General's Office has not yet revealed Abbassis salary. Gov. Patrick Murray, a 38-year street cop, was moved to the administrative role of chief of staff and executive officer, according to the Police Departments revised table of organization. "This groundbreaking initiative represents a sea change on emergency response to individuals facing mental health crises, and will decrease the danger to everyone involved., Our view:Can Najee Seabrooks' fatal shooting be the moment to change Paterson's police? Platkin and the man he picked to take charge of the Paterson police, Isa Abbassi, repeatedly have said the states intervention represents a long-term commitment to change a longtime problem.
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