NJ takes over Paterson police after crisis worker's shooting

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

New Jersey's attorney general said Monday that his office has taken control of the police department in the state's third-largest city, Paterson, less than a month after officers there fatally shot a well-known crisis intervention worker during a tense standoff.

Attorney General Matt Platkin said at a news conference that his office had assumed control of all police functions without delay, including the division that investigates internal police matters. His announcement didn't mention the shooting of 31-year-old Najee Seabrooks directly, but it reflected activists' concerns about how the department was being run.

“There is a crisis of confidence in law enforcement in this city,” he said to brief cheers and calls of “Thank you” from the audience. “Something has to change, and it will change starting now. Earlier this morning, I exercised my authority as attorney general and superseded the Paterson Police Department.”

Platkin said the takeover amounted to a “pledge” to residents and officers that the state is committed to safety in the city.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/nj-takes-over-paterson-police-after-crisis-worker-s-shooting/ar-AA198MsB

[MichMan]

1. State government usurping the power of the voter's local governance?

Jackson, Mississippi Water Dept was another recent example in the news

[hippywife]

4. If you read the article, it's a totally different situation here.

This time it's warranted due to possible police misconduct. In Jackson, it's the state that has let the mostly black city's infrastructure go to hell and stay that way until their water situation completely collapsed.

[MichMan]

5. All the major cities I have lived in manage and operate their own water systems and police depts.

Elected local officials accountable to the voters are entrusted to manage them to the benefit of all residents. Water departments set their own rates, hire staff, and pass bonds to finance capital improvements. The bonds are paid with revenue from rates. Unless the Chief of Police is directly elected, Mayors and City Councils are responsible for managing the department and setting policies.

If there is police misconduct in Paterson, why aren't those entrusted by Paterson voters (Mayor & City Council) able to provide oversight & initiate reforms, just like every other city does?

If voters elect incompetent leadership, they have the power to "fire" & replace them with those who can do the job they are elected to do. Otherwise, one would have to assume that Paterson (or Jackson MS) voters can't be trusted to choose their own representation and therefore should lose their rights of local governance.

[2naSalit]

2. Not surprised.

I hope they can correct the problems.

[Wicked Blue]

3. Long overdue

Corrupt, lazy, incompetent. I had some dealings with them when my brother died last year.