Former Hillsdale Police Chief Sean Smith was named in New Jersey’s annual major discipline report after an internal affairs investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office sustained allegations that he made inappropriate comments regarding the race and skin color of officers within the department.
Statement from Chief Smith’s legal counsel disputing the state’s claim:
“Lawrence Kleiner and Eric Kleiner attorneys at law have issued tort notices of claim and mornings to cease and desist to both the Attorney General and to the Hillsdale Police Department warning them that they’re facing litigation for defaming and slandering chief Smith by falsely claiming he committed a bias offense. These cases were dismissed summarily by the Judge that was hired by the city.
The charges were baseless and that’s why they were dismissed. The charges were predicated on the Bergen County prosecutor’s office a political hit job against chief Smith for doing his job as chief in disciplining a politically connected line officer who committed a serious offense.
We invite the press to OPRA the town of Hillsdale and inquire how much money has been paid out the chief Smith by the town on the counter of false charges that were made against the chief based on bias. This chief does not have a biased bone in his body. He was instrumental in Hillsdale hiring two African-American officers in an all-white department. He pushed for one of the African-American officers to be promoted. Chief Smith is retired in good standing.”
Prior to this report, it was generally not known why Smith’s left, but that an investigation was being conducted.
Key Points
• Bergen County investigators sustained misconduct findings against former Hillsdale Police Chief Sean Smith
• The investigation centered on comments involving race and skin color made inside police headquarters
• Smith separated from the Hillsdale Police Department before discipline could be imposed
According to the report, the incident occurred on July 11, 2024, inside Hillsdale Police Headquarters.
Investigators found that Smith referred to himself and another white officer as the “lightest/whitest” members of the police department. The report states Smith then asked an African American officer if he intended to compare skin tones with a newly hired African American officer who was not present to determine “How black you guys are.”
The report further states that Smith extended his forearm and demonstrated how the officers would determine “who is blacker.”
Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office conducted investigation
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office investigated the incident and concluded that Smith made a bias comment to a member of the Hillsdale Police Department.
According to the report, investigators sustained allegations under N.J.S.A. 40A:14-147 as well as multiple violations of Hillsdale Police Department rules and regulations.
Multiple policy violations sustained
The sustained violations included:
- 2:1.3 — Police Officers
- 3:1.1 — Standards of Conduct
- 3:1.7 — Obedience to Laws, Ordinances, Rules, and Written Directives
- 3:7.4 — Civil Rights
- 3:7.18 — Prohibited Activity On-Duty
- 3:11.5 — Impartial Attitude / Conduct Unbecoming
- 3:11.6 — Disparaging Comments Regarding Protected Personal Characteristics
The Attorney General’s report states Smith separated from employment with the Hillsdale Police Department before discipline was imposed.
The case was included in New Jersey’s 2025 major discipline report, which requires law enforcement agencies to publicly disclose serious disciplinary actions involving officers and command staff under Attorney General Directive 2021-6.
