For those that don't know, non-Trenton resident and current Rahway resident Irv Bradley (In other words another non-resident getting a city job) began his memorable career at Newark PD in 1986 and was there during the rise of current TPD Police Director Joseph Santiago. Irv rose to the rank of Lieutenant, and in 2004 was appointed chief of police by the currently indicted ex-Newark Mayor Sharpe James. Many wondered how a lieutenant could be appointed chief without having obtained the rank of captain or deputy chief, but when your uncle is Newark's city council president strange things happen. (Preferential treatment.)

In 2006, and days before James was set to leave office, Irv decided to retire with only twenty years on the job. Speculation by Newark insiders has it that Irv didn't want to be returned to the position of lieutenant and face retribution for his loyalty to disgraced Mayor James, but that's only speculation.

During Irv's shortened career -and upon his appointment to chief- it was widely reported about his scandalous arrest in May 1998 for a multitude of criminal and vehicular charges stemming from an incident in Rahway NJ. This shameful behavior occurred while Irv was a sergeant for the professional Standards Unit of Newark PD, and under the leadership of Santiago. For his reprehensible actions Irv was only suspended for thirty days by Santiago (Preferential treatment.), not the three to six months Santiago recalled when interviewed by the Times' Kevin Shea on August 28, 2007. Newark PD insiders claim of those thirty days, Irv was credited with eleven days because he served them in November 1998 after he was arraigned for his charges. (Of the remaining nineteen days, Irv reportedly was allowed to use vacation time.) The reason it was only eleven days was in December Irv was inexplicably reinstated by Santiago -even though he was still under indictment- and transferred to a different position. (Preferential treatment.)

One other incredible fact that was noticeably absent from all the media accounts -and something Santiago failed to divulge to Shea during his interview- was the fact that Irv committed the crimes and MV offenses while operating an unmarked Newark police car. Yes, an unmarked Newark police car. (Shh, that will be our dirty little secret)

One of many ironies of this appalling episode was that it was stated over and over that Irv shouldn't lose his job because, as his lawyer said, "He was not acting in his official capacity and he was not acting under the color of his authority. It was just an unfortunate incident that occurred."

Well excuse me, but if Terminator Joe (Santiago proudly proclaimed the firing of over one hundred cops for corruption and other assorted offenses after taking over the reins Newark PD) couldn't find reason enough to fire Irv over the fact that while he was a Sergeant of Newark PD's Professional Standards Unit he ASSAULTED police officers and RESISTED ARREST, then perhaps the documented fact that Irv used an unmarked Newark police car to drive drunk and elude the police should've sealed his fate. (Preferential treatment.)

That leads to one simple fact: Irv still had a job after his arrest and guilty plea because of his political ties with the corrupt administration of Mayor Sharpe James and James' convicted police director Joseph Santiago.

Good hire Joe and Doug, you did Trenton proud.

Irv's memorable timeline.

Arrested: May 30, 1998

Indicted: October 15 1998

Suspended: November 20, 1998

Arraigned: November 30, 1998*

Reinstated: December 1, 1998

Plea: February 22, 1999 (36 Months probation, 450 day drivers license suspension)

Departmental Disposition: August 11, 1999 (30 day suspension)

*NPD Sgt. Glenn informs the media on November 30, 1998 that departmental policy mandates the suspension of all indicted employees. Two interesting facts to point out here, or dare I say acts of PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT? Irv wasn't suspended until more than a month after the indictment, and the day following his arraignment Santiago reinstated Irv with full pay and benefits.

Welcome to Trenton Irv, welcome to Trenton.