the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hillsdale NJ, a hearing will be held at a future date regarding a disciplinary matter involving Hillsdale Police Chief Sean Smith, following the appointment of a hearing officer during the Borough Council’s Jan. 14 meeting.
Chief Smith, who was sworn in last January, has been on administrative leave since late August. The reasons for his leave remain undisclosed. In his absence, Lt. Travis Woods is serving as the officer in charge of the Hillsdale Police Department.
Disciplinary Charges and Hearing Officer Appointment
The council’s resolution confirmed that disciplinary charges have been initiated against Chief Smith. To ensure impartiality, Judge Harry J. Carroll was appointed as the hearing officer.
The resolution stated:
- The borough administrator was initially authorized to oversee the hearing process.
- However, due to the nature of the charges and the potential for appeals, the borough administrator delegated the responsibility to an external hearing officer.
Mayor and Council Comments
Mayor Michael Sheinfield described the matter as a “personnel issue” but refrained from sharing further details, confirming only that Smith is on administrative leave.
During the Jan. 14 meeting, Councilman John Ruocco emphasized the seriousness of the situation:
- “The investigation has produced an outcome which… could lead to a situation that would seriously affect the management of our police department and the effectiveness of law enforcement in the borough, possibly for years to come.”
Investigation by Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office conducted an investigation related to the disciplinary charges. However, the office declined to confirm or deny the details, citing policy restrictions on administrative and personnel matters.
Next Steps in the Disciplinary Process
Judge Carroll will oversee the timeline and logistics of the hearing, including whether it will be held publicly or privately. This decision will involve coordination with all parties involved.
Impact on Hillsdale Police Department
As the hearing progresses, questions remain about the future leadership and management of the Hillsdale Police Department. Borough officials are navigating a delicate situation that could have long-term implications for law enforcement in the community.
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The “Brouhaha” about what Hillsdale Police Chief Sean Smith did is “Much Ado About Nothing”. Nothing pejorative or intentional was done; It was/is a matter of “Ridiculous Political Correctness” carried to the “Nth Degree! Eventually, what was and would be the cause of the eventual dismissal (?) will be seen as incidental and inconsequential – at best. This “Brouhaha” mirrors the chaos and inhumanity so vividly displayed on the Media, on the Streets and unfortunately, in person!
a reasonable assessment of the facts & possible outcome? Whomever is the author, his/her point was well-made. The truth will unfold – eventually – and for-the-most-part, what will unfold will be reasonably aligned with the original assessment posted on this blog. One does not need to be omniscient to make such an educated & logical deduction. It is already – somewhat know…!