HILLSDALE, N.J.—Lt. Travis Woods has been selected to become Hillsdale’s next police chief following a closed session interview with the mayor and Borough Council at their May 6 meeting.
It was not immediately clear when Woods would be sworn in, but officials said that would likely occur after the council’s scheduled vote to appoint him when they next meet, May 13.
Woods, the department’s sole candidate for the position, was interviewed by the governing body in executive session. Following the interview, Mayor Michael Sheinfield announced to the public: “We had an interview with a prospective chief, and this body has agreed upon Lt. Travis Woods being promoted to our chief. We will take action in the next week and begin that process. So congratulations to the lieutenant.”
Woods, a U.S. Navy veteran who saw duty as an operational intelligence specialist, joined the Hillsdale Police Department in 2014 and has served as patrol officer, detective, sergeant, and lieutenant. He has been officer-in-charge since September 2024, during the Bergen County Prosecutor’s investigation of former Chief Sean Smith and amid and beyond Smith’s negotiated retirement.
(For background, see “Accord Confirms Smith’s Retirement” by Michael Olohan, posted April 19, 2025 at thepressgroup.net; Pascack Press has requested a copy of the settlement agreement but has not yet received it.)
Woods is a longtime member of the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team and has held such key department roles as firearms instructor, active shooter instructor, and internal affairs officer. He made lieutenant in January 2024, the same time Smith was sworn in as chief and David Sayer was promoted to sergeant.
Councilman Clemente Osso also praised Woods, stating, “I have nothing but the highest expectations of him as Hillsdale’s next police chief.”
Woods told Pascack Press on May 7, “I am honored to serve the dedicated men and women of the HPD, as well as the residents and the community at large. I am deeply grateful to be part of an organization that cultivates leadership and embraces accountability from within. Together, we will continue to build a safer, stronger community.”