Feds Investigate Allegations of Violence and Corruption in Paterson's Police Department
Reports of police brutality and corruption have brought federal scrutiny to law enforcement in New Jersey's third largest city. Several officers in Paterson were swept up in an FBI probe that investigated alleged illegal traffic stops, citizen shakedowns and dealing drugs while on duty.
A video was made public last week, recorded by a former police officer, that showed his colleague violently slapping a suicidal patient in a hospital bed. Both men have since been sentenced in Federal Court.Â
The two-year FBI investigation found several police officers had been stealing money from civilians, and according to data by nj.com, the police department has some the highest rates of use of force in the state.
Joe Malinconico, editor for the Paterson Press and contributor for The Record, joined "All Things Considered" host Jami Floyd to discuss the troubles plaguing Paterson's police department, and the city in general.
Click 'Listen' for the interview
