NEWARK — An Irvington police captain was arrested early this morning after allegedly trying to run over a city councilman with her car, according to authorities.

Monique Smith, 43, was taken into custody on charges including aggravated assault, stalking, harassment, criminal mischief and multiple weapons charges related to the incident involving South Ward Councilman John Sharpe James, Newark police spokesman Sgt. Ronald Glover said in a statement.

UPDATE:

Captain free on bail, sources say

James was close to his home in the area of Elizabeth and Pomona avenues when he was confronted by Smith around 11 p.m., according to Glover. As she yelled at him, James got into his car and drove off.

Smith got into her personal vehicle and followed the councilman, allegedly striking his vehicle several times. James then proceeded to his parents' home on Wilbur Street, where his father, former longtime Newark Mayor Sharpe James, intervened on his behalf, Glover said.

Police were called to the scene, but were unable to locate Smith until early this morning.

It is unclear whether the councilman was injured during the incident, or what sparked the confrontation between him and Smith.

Multiple law enforcement sources said the confrontation came just hours after Smith was promoted to captain during a Monday afternoon ceremony at Irvington Town Hall.

John Sharpe James

Irvington Mayor Tony Vauss said he was still gathering information on the incident this morning, but that Smith would be suspended without pay pending an investigation. Despite the arrest, he defended the decision to promote her based on her track record with the force.

“She’s been a fine officer for many years in the Irvington Police Department,” he said.

John Sharpe James declined to comment when reached by phone this morning.

Smith could not immediately be reached for comment, and it was unclear whether she had retained a lawyer.

The arrest is not the first time she has been embroiled in controversy.

Two former internal affairs investigators filed allegations with the Essex County Prosecutor's Office in 2012, claiming that she and Police Chief Michael Chase had routinely ordered them to alter reports and bring unwarranted disciplinary charges against certain officers.

The prosecutor's office launched an investigation into their claims, which ended without criminal charges. Chase is currently facing dozens of administrative charges for the alleged misuse of power and other misconduct.

Smith has since been transferred out of internal affairs, and was most recently assigned to Irvington's personnel division. She was paid $116,252 in 2013, the most recent year that payroll records were available.

Dan Ivers may be reached at divers@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanIversNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.