Major discipline · 2025[1]
Separated while IA pending- Rank as reported
- Chief
- Sustained charge(s)
- N.J.S.A. 40a:14-147, Following Hillsdale Police Rules and Regulations; 2:1.3, 3:1.1, 3:1.7, 3:7.4, 3:7.18, 3:11.5, 3:11.6
- Separated while IA pending
- Yes
Plain-language summary (this site, from the cited record only)
Chief Sean Smith separated from employment with the Hillsdale Police Department while an internal affairs matter was pending. On July 11, 2024, at police headquarters, Smith made a bias comment that several officers overheard, referring to himself and another white officer as the lightest members of the department and asking an African American officer whether he would compare skin tones with a newly hired African American officer. The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office investigation sustained the charges, and Smith separated before discipline was imposed.
Synopsis as reported by the agency
SUMMARY and CONCLUSIONS REPORTS Officer’s Name: Chief Sean Smith Internal Affairs Case No.: 2024-002 Summary of Allegations On 7/11/2024, while in Hillsdale Police Headquarters, SMITH made a bias comment that was observed and overheard by several other officers in the Police Department. Specifically, SMITH referred to himself and another white officer as being the ‘lightest/whitest’ member of the Police Department. SMITH then asked another African American officer who was present if he was going to compare skin tones with a newly hired African American officer who was not present, to determine ‘How black you guys are.’ SMITH then held out his forearm to demonstrate what the two officers would do to see ‘who is blacker’ Summary of Factual Findings The investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (BCPO) determined that SMITH made a bias comment to a member of the Hillsdale Police Department. Allegation #1 – N.J.S.A. 40a:14-147 Finding: Sustained Allegation #2 - Rules and Regulation Violations/Statutory Misconduct 1. 2:1.3: Police Officers 2. 3:1.1: Standards of Conduct 3. 3:1.7: Obedience to Laws, Ordinances, Rules, and Written Directives 4. 3:7.4: Civil Rights 5. 3:7.18: Prohibited Activity On-Duty 6. 3:11.5: Impartial Attitude / 7. 3:11.6: Disparaging Comments Regarding Protected Personal Characteristics Finding: Sustained Discipline Imposed: Smith separated from employment with the Hillsdale Police Department prior to discipline being imposed.