Enlacosa.com Tu Medio Digital
Uncertainty Highlights Gaps in State Oversight, Not City Hall Leadership
PATERSON, N.J. — More than two and a half years after the State of New Jersey took control of the Paterson Police Department, the city still lacks a clear answer to one of the most critical questions in public safety: How many police officers does Paterson actually need?
In May 2023, then–New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin publicly stated that the Paterson Police Department was “severely understaffed.” The remark came during a press conference in Paterson, just two months after the state seized control of the department, citing concerns over management, oversight, and internal operations.
Yet more than 30 months later, and despite full state control of the department, Platkin is leaving office without ever declaring a concrete number of officers required to properly staff the city’s police force. No publicly released study, staffing benchmark, or definitive recruitment target has been presented to residents or local officials.
A critical distinction: this is not the responsibility of Mayor Andre Sayegh’s administration
What has become increasingly clear is that this lack of clarity cannot be attributed to the administration of Mayor Andre Sayegh.
Once the state assumed control of the Paterson Police Department, key decisions regarding staffing levels, operational structure, and long-term planning were transferred to state authorities. As a result, the city administration has had limited authority over police hiring strategies and staffing goals, making it inaccurate to place blame on City Hall for the absence of a defined staffing plan.
The failure to establish a clear benchmark for how many officers Paterson needs rests squarely with those overseeing the state intervention.
Repeated diagnosis, but no measurable solution
State officials have consistently emphasized that the department is understaffed. However, repeating that assessment without providing measurable goals has left the city without a way to evaluate progress or determine whether the takeover is achieving its stated objectives.
Public safety experts note that a successful intervention typically includes a detailed staffing analysis based on population size, crime patterns, geographic coverage, and officer workload — followed by transparent targets and timelines. To date, such information has not been clearly communicated to the public.
Growing concern among residents and local leaders
The absence of clear answers has fueled concern among residents, community leaders, and elected officials, many of whom question how the effectiveness of the state takeover can be measured without basic metrics.
“If the state stepped in to fix the problem, it should also be able to define what success looks like,” community voices have noted. “Years later, the city still doesn’t know what the plan is.”
An unfinished legacy
Platkin’s departure without resolving this fundamental issue leaves behind a sense of unfinished business. While the takeover was presented as a necessary reform, the lack of transparency and concrete outcomes — particularly regarding staffing — raises serious questions about the effectiveness of continued state control.
Meanwhile, Paterson continues to face public safety challenges, with a police force under pressure and residents demanding accountability. For now, the most basic question remains unanswered:
How many police officers does Paterson need — and who will finally provide that answer?
