Paterson Police Department

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. It is the largest accredited police department in the state.[2][3][4] Its director is Jerry Speziale.

Paterson Police Department
Common namePaterson Police Department
AbbreviationPPD
Agency overview
FormedAugust 1, 1866
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionPaterson, New Jersey, United States
Map of Paterson in Passaic County. Inset: Passaic County's location in New Jersey.
Size8.6mi²
Population145,647 (2018)
Legal jurisdictionPaterson, New Jersey
General nature
Operational structure
Headquarters111 Broadway
Paterson, NJ 07505
Officers400
Unsworn members150
Agency executives
  • Ibrahim M Baycora, Police Chief[1]
  • Jerry Speziale, Police Director
  • Lourdes Phelan, Deputy Chief
  • Ronald Vankluyve, Deputy Chief
Website
www.patersonpd.com

History

The department began operations on August 1, 1866. Before then, the city was protected by a city marshal and five watchmen, one for each ward.[5]

Eight Paterson policemen have died in the line of duty.[6]

In April 2011, 125 officers, described as "a quarter of the officers" were laid off due to budget problems.[7]

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[8][9] and the death of an arrestee.[10][11]

State takeover of department

The New Jersey Attorney General took over control of the Paterson Police Department on March 27, 2023, after the fatal police shooting of Najee Seabrooks.[12] 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.[13] 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.[14] Sayegh fired two police chiefs Troy Oswald in 2020[15] and Mike Baycora in 2022.[16]

Organization[17]
  • Patrol Command
  • Narcotics, Vice Bureau Command, ABC Investigations
  • Major Crimes, Juvenile, Domestic Crimes, Meghan's Law
  • Internal Affairs Division
  • Administrative Services Bureau
  • Community Policing
  • Specialized Investigation Division
  • Special Operations Unit/Emergency Response Team
  • Records Division
  • Traffic

See also

References
  1. NJ.com, Rodrigo Torrejon | NJ Advance Media for (February 5, 2020). "N.J. police department swears in its 1st Muslim police chief". nj.
  2. Rahman, Jayed (July 20, 2015). "Paterson police recognized with NJ State Association of Chiefs of Police accreditation".
  3. "ACCREDITATION COMMISSION LIST OF ACCREDITED AND REACCREDITED AGENCIES" (PDF). NEW JERSEY STATE ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE NEW JERSEY LAW ENFORCEMENT. 2016-06-09. Retrieved 2020-05-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. "Paterson Police Department". Patterson Police Department. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  5. "Paterson Police Department History". Police Benevolent Association. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  6. "New Jersey". Officer Down Memorial Page. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  7. "125 Paterson police officers laid off". ABC-13. 15 April 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  8. NJ.com, Anthony G. Attrino | NJ Advance Media for (January 7, 2020). "Paterson police sergeant arrested as FBI corruption investigation widens, cops say". nj.
  9. "Auditors outline extensive review of Paterson Police Department". North Jersey.
  10. "Paterson council approves audit of city police department". North Jersey.
  11. "National Law Enforcement Experts Launch 9-Month Audit of Paterson Police Department". TAPinto.
  12. 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.
  13. Greene, Jonathan (2023-03-27). "New Jersey attorney general assumes control of Paterson police force". Paterson Times. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  14. Greene, Jonathan (2023-03-27). "New Jersey attorney general assumes control of Paterson police force". Paterson Times. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  15. Rahman, Jayed (2020-01-30). "Paterson bids farewell to its popular police chief Troy Oswald". Paterson Times. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  16. 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.
  17. "Contacts". Patterson Police Department. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
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