Michael Irey, 55, of Media, was arrested in New Jersey on Monday and extradited to Delaware County, according to the district attorney's office. An arrest warrant had been issued for him the previous week.

The investigation began after several Upland police officers came forward with complaints about Irey's overtime assignments, according to a criminal complaint. The officers told detectives they had been afraid to report the chief because they feared retaliation.

Investigators found that Irey had signed up for overtime shifts to monitor traffic near Chester Community Charter School and for state-funded DUI patrols and seat-belt enforcement details, but he did not actually work those assignments. The Upland Police Department typically assigns two officers to the charter school, one in the morning from 7:30 to 8:30 and one in the afternoon from 2:30 to 3:30, at a rate of $75 per hour. A PennDOT grant also pays officers standard overtime for programs including "Click It or Ticket" and "Roving DUI Patrol."

Despite claiming most of the school safety details, Irey was never seen working those shifts and would instead assign a day-work officer who was not compensated for overtime to cover the post, the complaint states. He also claimed most of the state-funded overtime assignments but was not observed by other officers working those details.

Detectives used license plate readers in Delaware County to track Irey's assigned, unmarked police vehicle. The vehicle was traced to popular bars and restaurants — including LaPorta Ristorante in Media, LaScala Fire in Newtown Square, and DiFabio's Market in Media — during times when Irey was scheduled to be on duty. A bartender at one of the establishments told investigators that Irey was a frequent customer during afternoon hours on typical workdays, according to the complaint.

An analysis of Irey's bank statements and Upland Police Department payroll records determined that $52,666.92 was paid to him for time he did not work, including grant-funded overtime and payments from the Chester Community Charter School.

Irey has been charged with theft by unlawful taking, tampering with evidence, obstruction of justice, forgery, receiving stolen property, and other related crimes.

"The badge carries a responsibility that does not end when the shift is over, and public trust should never be treated as a personal paycheck," Rouse said in a statement Monday. "I commend the officers who had the courage to come forward and expose this misconduct. They demonstrated exactly what we expect from those who wear the badge: integrity, accountability and the willingness to do what is right, even when it is difficult."

The case highlights the importance of oversight and accountability in local law enforcement, particularly when grant funds and public trust are at stake. Upland Borough, a small community in Delaware County, relies on its police department to keep schools and roads safe. The allegations against Irey raise questions about how overtime assignments were monitored and whether safeguards are in place to prevent similar abuses.

Irey's arrest and the charges against him mark a significant development in a case that began with the courage of fellow officers who spoke up. As the legal process moves forward, residents will be watching to see how the justice system handles allegations of misconduct by a former top law enforcement official.