Top leaders in the Patterson Police Department are suing New Jersey's attorney general, asking the courts to terminate the state takeover of the embattled Department.

A lawsuit filed Friday by the ousted police chiefs Engelbert Ribeiro and acting police director Mirza Mark Blur says the attorney general violated the state constitution and home rule laws when his office took control of Paterson PD.

The takeover followed years of controversies within the force, including police shootings and deaths while in custody, along with an FBI corruption probe.

A spokesperson for Attorney General Matt Plotkin office says the suit is, quote, As unfortunate as it is meritless and reflects the problems within the department that necessitated a state intervention.

State officials also argue the takeover is working, pointing to data showing violent crime was down significantly this summer compared to the same time last year.

Paterson Mayor Andre say isn't part of the lawsuit, but said on Monday he's supporting the effort.