History

The Paterson Police Department was established on August 1, 1866. Before then the city was protected and served by one City Marshall and five constables. Following a string of burglaries of robberies in the city, then-mayor William Watson and city officials appointed the first group of police officers to the PPD with the former Marshall placed in charge of the Department. In the same week, two burglars were arrested by the new officers. The suspects were tried and convicted for the crimes and after their sentencing the robbery pattern stopped.

The first police headquarters was built behind the old City Hall at 111 Washington Street in October of 1870. That building was destroyed by the Fire of 1902, along with a large portion of Paterson. On March 3rd, 1871 the Amend City Charter was approved for Paterson, later that year, John B. Rice was appointed the first Chief of Police. By 1883, the department consisted of 65 members, serving a population of roughly 50,000 residents.

On March 18th, 1892, the first Patrol Wagon was put into service. In February of 1911, the first auto patrol was placed into service, allowing the PPD to use the latest in transportation technology to perform their duties. The second one wouldn’t come until more than a year and a half later.

In December of 1917, a new telegraph system was put into service allowing officers to quickly relay messages and contact police headquarters. In 1936 radio cars received calls through Station WPFK of the Bergen County Police Department, located at Hackensack, NJ, a Flash Light System was still in use until traditional radios became more common in policing.

The commitment of the Paterson Police Department to the people of Paterson remains steadfast to protect and serve everyone who works and lives here. Now using the latest technology is more important than every to solve crimes and even prevent them from happening in the first place. Today the PPD boasts a roster of more than 400 members in various divisions and units that were never thought of when the department was first established. The Paterson Police Department continues to look towards the future as a world-class law enforcement agency.