1-13-2026 11:53am

Paterson Police Launches Real-Time Operations Center, Expands Drone Fleet Under State Oversight

The new technology hub and wider drone deployment are designed to speed responses and improve coordination, as officials point to recent crime declines and civil-liberties groups nationally raise surveillance concerns.

PATERSON — The Paterson Police Department has launched a new Real Time Operations Center (RTOC) and expanded its drone program, initiatives state officials described as a major step in modernizing the department while it remains under New Jersey Attorney General oversight.

State leaders said the RTOC will serve as a centralized command environment that pulls together multiple public-safety tools, including citywide camera feeds, gunshot detection technology, automatic license plate readers, and body-worn camera analytics, with the goal of giving officers and supervisors faster access to information during active incidents.

“The launch of the Real Time Operations Center and expanded drone capabilities represents a turning point for public safety in Paterson,” said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. “For too long, officers here were asked to do their jobs without the modern tools routinely used by other major cities. That has changed. These systems give officers better information, faster insight, and stronger coordination, all while improving safety and accountability. This is what meaningful investment in public safety looks like, and it reflects the lasting progress made in Paterson.”

What the new center does

According to the Attorney General’s Office, the RTOC is intended to function as the department’s “technological backbone,” connecting officers to real-time data and video intelligence so supervisors can track developing incidents and coordinate responses across divisions.

Office of Policing Strategy and Innovation Executive Director Isa Abbassi framed the rollout as part of a broader, state-driven push to standardize operations and oversight.

“The Real Time Operations Center reflects how far this department has come,” Abbassi said. “Under state oversight, Paterson has built systems that emphasize clarity, coordination, and accountability. The RTOC and expanded drone program are not standalone upgrades. They are part of a deliberate effort to modernize policing, strengthen public safety, and ensure that technology is used responsibly and effectively for the benefit of the community.”

Drone program expands beyond specialized deployments

Officials said Paterson’s drone program has been used for about five years by the Emergency Response Team for search-and-rescue operations, tactical deployments, and other public-safety missions. The expanded fleet is now available to multiple units for aerial awareness during emergencies, investigations, and large-scale incidents, the state announcement said.

The department said drones will also be used for crash and crime-scene documentation, including overhead imagery and three-dimensional mapping, which officials said can improve scene management and reduce roadway closures.

“These tools fundamentally change how we operate,” said Officer in Charge Patrick Murray. “The RTOC and drone program give our officers real time insight when seconds matter most. They improve coordination across divisions, enhance safety on every call, and allow us to respond with precision. This is the result of years of focused work, and it positions Paterson as a model for modern policing.”

How residents and businesses can opt in

The announcement also highlighted the department’s use of the Fusus platform to allow residents and businesses to voluntarily share surveillance footage with police, which officials said can expand investigative capacity and improve situational awareness before officers arrive.

Connect Paterson, a public-facing site for the program, describes a camera registry and optional camera sharing that allows owners to set preferences about whether police can access camera feeds in an emergency near their location.

The state oversight backdrop, and why technology is part of it

New Jersey’s takeover of day-to-day Paterson Police operations began March 27, 2023, following years of controversy and accountability concerns, and intensified scrutiny after the fatal police shooting of Najee Seabrooks during a mental health crisis.

The supersession has been challenged in court. An appellate ruling in late 2024 found the Attorney General lacked authority to take full control without the city’s consent, but the New Jersey Supreme Court later reviewed the matter and, in a July 23, 2025, decision, upheld the takeover in that specific case based on the Legislature’s actions tied to Paterson oversight.

Crime trends and questions about guardrails

State officials tied the technology rollout to reported public-safety gains. The Attorney General’s announcement cited Paterson Police CompStat data saying shooting incidents declined by more than 40 percent and shooting victims fell by over 50 percent compared with the same period the prior year, with additional declines in some violent-crime categories.

At the same time, real-time surveillance systems and private-camera integration have drawn scrutiny in other cities, with civil-liberties advocates arguing that the speed and scale of modern video and analytics tools can outpace local rules on data retention, access, and auditing.

For Paterson residents, the launch marks a clear shift toward technology-centered policing under state supervision, with supporters emphasizing faster coordination and safety benefits, and critics nationally warning that “real-time” tools can expand surveillance unless policies are explicit, enforceable, and transparent.