On October 2, 2025, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey announced that the City of Newark, New Jersey would be released from the decade-long oversight of its police department, commending its "vast improvements in policing." The successful effort to overhaul the Newark Police Department (NPD) was led by Partner Peter C. Harvey, who was appointed as the Independent Monitor in 2016. In the period since Mr. Harvey's appointment, the NPD has seen significant progress to police training, including the use of de-escalation tactics, resulting in a stark decrease in payouts from excessive-force lawsuits. Crime rates in Newark have also dropped significantly, with the city on track for its lowest homicide rate in decades this year.

The investigation of the NPD was commenced in 2011 following a petition for a civil investigation brought by the American Civil Liberties Union, alleging that the NPD has a history of engaging in conduct that violates its citizens' constitutional rights. In 2014, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued its findings from the report, concluding that NPD officers engaged in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional policing, including theft by officers, unlawful stops and arrests, excessive use of force, and retaliation against individuals who exercise their rights under the First Amendment. The DOJ and Newark commenced negotiations to outline reforms to remedy these issues, resulting in an agreement to enter into a Consent Decree.

In 2016, the DOJ and Newark entered into a Consent Decree and appointed Mr. Harvey as the Independent Monitor, tasked with overseeing the implementation of the Consent Decree and to ensure that the NPD was timely in complying with its requirements. To keep to public apprised of the NPD's progress, Mr. Harvey and the Patterson Belknap team issued quarterly written reports.

In addition to Mr. Harvey, the Patterson Belknap team included Partner Michael F. Buchanan, Counsel Christopher Wilds, and many former firm associates.

To read coverage on the monitorship from The New York Times, click here.

To read coverage on the monitorship from NJ.com, click here.