New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin on Tuesday laid out a strategic plan for reforming the Paterson Police Department, a goal set since the state took over the department in March. The strategic plan was formed after speaking with hundreds of Paterson residents.
“We heard recurring themes. Address courtesy and accountability. Move internal affairs and civilian complaint interviews out of police headquarters. Have officers be more visible in the community. And increase transparency while seeking sustained community input,” said Isa Abbassi, whom Platkin appointed as Officer in Charge of the police department in May.
Abbassi said these goals will transform the department into a regional leader in policing, a far cry from how residents have described Paterson police in recent years. To get there, the plan outlines 55 initiatives including a website where complaints against officers will be made public, and QR codes on officer IDs to make it easier for residents to file complaints. Supervisors will also be called to any crisis response where a person could be a danger to themselves or others.
“To me, this is the most strategic plan I’ve heard yet,” said community activist Corey Teague. “Now we know that between putting out the plan and implementing it, could be the difference of night and day. But the plan itself, on its face, sounds excellent. It sounds like something that will include the community.”
Most of the reforms in the strategic plan have already begun, but there was no mention of creating a civilian complaint review board. The first progress report won’t be released until summer 2025.
