Public safety director suspended

NEW JERSEY (MY9NJ) - Bergen County Public Safety Director is under investigation and suspended for trying to pull a favor for a friend and it's caught on dashcam video.

Bergen County Sheriff's Office said Ralph Rivera Jr. kept interrupting an officer while his buddy Francisco Almonte was arrested and issued a summons for DWI. In the video you see Rivera approach the deputy four times during the early morning traffic stop on March 19.

Rivera offers to drive his friend's car. The deputy reminds Rivera of John's Law in which a driver suspected of being under the influence isn't allowed access to their vehicle for 12 hours. Rivera then tells the officer he was was undersheriff for six years.

Trenton Councilman George Muschal worked under Rivera when Rivera was Trenton police director. He said Rivera was known for abusing his power and he's not shocked by this recent incident.

"He just wanted to do what he always did and that's what he wanted to do," Muschal said. "He didn't want to abide by no rules and regulations. This was Ralph Rivera at his best do what I want to do."

We knocked on Rivera's door but it appeared no one was home. The county isn't commenting. Rivera is drawing his six-figure salary while on suspension.