Mayor Sayegh: No Federal Intervention of Paterson Police Needed

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh does not believe that federal intervention is needed for the city’s police force, an opinion that is not shared by all of those who represent the city.

Calls for an inquiry by the Department of Justice have risen since the March 3 shooting death of anti violence activist Najee Seabrooks by Paterson Police Department (PPD). During a televised interview over the weekend, Sayegh said his administration already has implemented “significant police reform measures,” including every police officer wearing body cameras and mandatory deceleration training. 

“While I understand that the recent tragic events have led to calls for federal intervention, the foregoing (actions) demonstrates that such intervention is not needed,” said Sayegh. “While we have made significant strides, we are continuing with more reforms.” 

Federal Intervention

A federal takeover of a major North Jersey city is not unprecedented. In 2016, federal authorities found the Newark Police Department had engaged in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional stops, searches, arrests, use of excessive force and theft by officers.

And it was the FBI  who investigated six PPD officers known as the “Robbery Squad” who either pleaded or were found guilty in a case brought by federal authorities. Jonathan Bustios, Eudy Ramos, Matthew Torres, Frank Toledo and Daniel Pent all plead guilty while Michael Cheff was found guilty for robbing and beating people they illegally stopped in Paterson, crimes they tried to cover up with false police reports.

Union Presidents Statement

Sayegh offered that it was Paterson’s police chief who contacted the FBI that resulted in those criminal convictions. It was a sentiment shared by Paterson’s two police unions who stated they do not see a “need for distant oversight when we are confident that we have the resources and personnel in Paterson to do that job.” 

“We are, of course, fully aware that events in the not too distant past had damaged our reputation,” said Alex Cruz, president of Local 1 of the Policemen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) and Mason Maher, president of Local #1 Superiors Officers Association, in a joint statement. “But we must point out that the criminal conduct of those former officers was first identified by this department and, even when initial efforts to pursue those criminals were unsuccessful, it was this department that brought the matter to the federal authorities.

Rebuilding Trust

Sayegh believes that rebuilding the trust between the community and police is an ongoing effort, one that would be hampered by federal intervention. He cited community programs such as a recent bowling event that have gotten positive feedback as well as a future trip by police leadership to Omaha next month to witness a program that has been proven effective in establishing trust.

The mayor, who had pushed for a quicker release of the body cam footage in the death of Seabrooks, argued that the investigation process by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office should be completed before any judgements are made. 

“A better use of our federal resources would be to complement our ongoing local efforts and to invest in our communities,” he said, adding Newark’s federal intervention has cost local taxpayers in Essex County $7.4 million in fees for the appointed monitor.

Sumter, Wimberly Open to Probe

But attempts to hold off federal intervention is not a view held by other elected officials, including both Assembly members who serve Paterson.  

“We really need to explore every option, and having a federal monitor should be included in those options,” said Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter (D-35), who was skeptical of Sayegh’s claims a federal probe would take away from other federal funding. “We need to be sure we are doing safe policing and fair policing. We know that hasn’t been the case in the last four or five years. We can’t continue on this same path.”

“We need this for the comfort of our community at this point,” Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly stated. “I think we should be welcoming this.”

Paterson councilman Luis Velez, who has become one of Sayegh’s council allies during the past nine months, is open to a federal inquiry. “Anything that’s going to make our city better, I welcome that,” he said. “If it’s going to bring clarity to the city, it’s worth it.”