Paterson Police Department Announces Changes in Leadership Roles in the Department

PATERSON — The Paterson Police Department today announced leadership changes as part of the Next Generation of public safety in Paterson New Jersey. The appointment of these highly experienced police leaders will position the department to continue to build upon the momentum gained since Officer in Charge Isa Abbassi took command following the supersession of the department by Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin in March of this year.

“It is important that we recognize the talent that already exists in the PPD. Part of that is ensuring that we select the right people, with the right skills and put them in the right positions,” said Officer in Charge Isa Abbassi. “These executive appointments are the first of many organizational changes we will be making in the coming months and I am confident that these leaders will be at the forefront of positive change in the department and in the community we serve”.

Members taking on new assignments at the Paterson Police Department include:

• Deputy Chief Lourdes Phelan, has been assigned as the Chief of Field Services. DC Phelan is a 27-year member of the PPD and was previously assigned as the Chief of Investigative Services.
• Captain Stanley Rodriguez, is assigned as the Commanding Officer of the Investigative Services Bureau. Rodriguez is a 27-year member of the PPD and was previously assigned as Commanding Officer of the Major Crimes Unit.
• Captain Michael Saginario, has been designated Executive Officer of the Field Services Bureau. Capt. Saginario is a 27-year member of the PPD and was previously assigned as Commanding Officer of the Special Events Division.
• Lieutenant Sharon Easton, will be assigned as the Commanding Officer of the newly created Community Partnerships Bureau, where she will oversee the creation of several units that will include the Community Affairs Division, Collaborative Policing Unit, and Recruitment Section. Lt. Easton is a 40-year member of the PPD and was previously assigned as PPD’s Community Collaboration Unit supervisor.
• Lieutenant Saleh Judeh, has been designated Commanding Officer of the Special Events Division. Lt. Judeh is an 18-year member of the PPD and was previously assigned as the Traffic Unit supervisor.

These changes are all part of OIC Abbassi’s strategic vision for the police department called PPD NEXTGEN. The first part of which includes a mission statement to protect life, maintain order, impartially enforce the law, and reduce fear while partnering with the community to improve the quality of life for all. PPD NEXTGEN establishes the following four areas in which the PPD and the Paterson community will work together to identify and then achieve clear deliverables: (1) rebuild the public trust and restore order in the community; (2) evolve community policing by working to develop a holistic and community-led approach to problem solving; (3) evaluate innovation, technology and strategies currently used by the department; and (4) revamp recruitment, training, and improve employee well-being.