Detective Charles Riviera Jr is the son of a barber and a school teacher. His Irish Catholic mother is a veteran of Newark schools. She is close to 90 now. His father was a high profile member of the community. He made his money as a barber, but he was active in local social causes.

Riviera has been on the force for years. His recent record has not been good, but there was a time that he was a model detective. The others might be known for taking cases that have a supernatural bent, but Riviera is known for taking on the cases of people that society does not give a shit about. It is rare to see him motivated, unless some hood kid gets murdered.

His partner is Matthew Bonafanti.