Dalton Price, a lifelong resident of Paterson, New Jersey, has spent more than two decades safeguarding his city—and since 2021, he’s been channeling that experience into protecting its future. As the Director of School Safety and Emergency Preparedness for Paterson Public Schools, Price oversees the security of one of New Jersey’s largest urban school districts, bringing a deep understanding of both law enforcement and community engagement to the role.
Price’s journey began in the very schools he now protects. He attended Public School No. 6 and graduated from Eastside High School before embarking on a 25-year career with the Paterson Police Department. Rising to the rank of lieutenant, Price gained recognition for his contributions to community policing, gang intelligence, and internal affairs.
Price is also a founding member and longtime president of the Bronze Shields of Passaic County, an association dedicated to supporting African American and Latino law enforcement officers. His leadership has helped foster diversity and inclusion within local policing ranks.
In 2017, Price published The Guide to Community Policing 3.0: Rejuvenating Today’s Most Fragile and Important Relationship, a book that blends traditional and unorthodox strategies to rebuild trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
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I spoke with Price while on assignment in the Garden State, producing an episode of The 50, a four-year multimedia project in which the Fulcrum visits different communities across all 50 states to learn what motivated them to vote in the 2024 presidential election and see how the Donald Trump administration is meeting those concerns and hopes.
Dalton shared that community policing is a philosophy and strategy focused on partnerships.
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Dalton Price’s story is one of dedication, resilience, and a deep commitment to the city that raised him. In every role—from patrol officer to professor to published author—he’s worked to build trust, promote justice, and create safer spaces for Paterson’s youth.
Hugo Balta is the executive editor of the Fulcrum and publisher of the Latino News Network.
