A Bergen County investigation found Hillsdale Police Chief Sean Smith made a bias-related comment to officers inside police headquarters, resulting in sustained misconduct findings before he separated from the department, according to state disciplinary records.
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.
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.