Interview with the new Trenton Police Director Ernest Parrey Jr.

New Trenton Police Director Ernest Parrey Jr. Michael Mancuso/The Times

(Michael Mancuso/The Times)

TRENTON — The Trenton police recruit who was forced to leave the Mercer County Police Academy for cheating on a test began classes again on Monday.

Acting Police Director Ernest Parrey Jr. said Thursday evening that the Angel Perez began the academy training again with the new class that started this week. Perez, who is the son-in-law of Trenton Chief-of-Staff Francis Blanco, was given a job in the police department's record office between the academy sessions.

Perez was dismissed from the last academy class when he was caught cheating on two answers on a test.

Some residents and council members questioned Parrey's motives and whether Perez was given special treatment because of his relationship to Blanco.

Parrey said it was his call to give Perez a second chance in the academy and a job at the police department while he waited for the next class to start, and no one influenced his decision.

Trenton council members on Thursday voted unanimously to send the matter to the Trenton Ethics Board for review. The ethics board is charged with making sure all city employees abide by the Trenton Code of Ethics.

Jenna Pizzi may be reached at jpizzi@njtimes.com. Follow her on Twitter @JennaPizzi. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.