West Trenton, N.J. – Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police Colonel Patrick Callahan today met with the chiefs of police and police directors of 20 municipalities in New Jersey at New Jersey State Police Headquarters in West Trenton to discuss vital issues facing law enforcement in New Jersey.

Attorney General Grewal and Colonel Callahan convened the meeting to reconstitute State-Stat, short for “State Status,” a program under which the law enforcement leaders will continue to meet regularly to share information, build partnerships, and collaborate to address the most pressing issues impacting public safety and security in New Jersey.

“I know from my years as a federal prosecutor and a county prosecutor that solutions are found when law enforcement leaders come together to speak candidly, share intelligence, pass along best practices, and establish relationships that will translate into strong collaboration and resource sharing,” said Attorney General Grewal. “As New Jersey’s top law enforcement officer, I will encourage this type of engagement and cooperation whenever and wherever I can, and I know that Colonel Callahan shares my view.  Today’s meeting was an excellent start to developing the kind of close inter-agency relationships that will lead to success in reducing crime, tackling addiction, improving police-community relations and keeping our residents safer.”

“Criminals do not recognize city borders and as law enforcement it is imperative that we maintain a seamless level of communication and intelligence sharing in order to effectively fight crime and more importantly prevent future criminal activity,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan, Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, “State-Stat is an important mechanism for law enforcement professionals throughout New Jersey to gather and discuss public safety at both a local and state level.”

In addition to Attorney General Grewal and Colonel Callahan, the presenters at today’s meeting included Major Geoff Noble of the New Jersey State Police; Assistant Prosecutor Elizabeth Rebein and Captain James McMorrow of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office; and Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri. The attendees at today’s State-Stat Major Cities Chiefs and Directors Meeting also included First Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, numerous other leaders of the New Jersey State Police, and the following municipal police leaders. The Plainfield, Pleasantville and Irvington Police Departments also are participating in State-Stat but were unable to attend today’s meeting.

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