HILLSDALE—Local officials tell Pascack Press that a disciplinary hearing for Police Chief Sean Smith has been scheduled for March 13 and 14 at Borough Hall. The proceedings—held before retired Superior Court Judge Harry Carroll—will be open to the public, although no public comment will be allowed.
Borough administrator Mike Ghassali said the borough’s labor attorney, Raymond Wiss of Wiss & Bouregy PC in Westwood, and Smith’s counsel are working out details with Carroll, whom the council hired last month. Carroll will hear testimony and evaluate a recommendation from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office following that office’s investigation.
While the town resolved that Ghassali, as administrator, was authorized to serve as hearing officer, it allowed this role to be delegated to an outside hearing officer. Ghassali also is mayor of the Borough of Montvale.
Smith, a nearly 30-year department veteran who succeeded Robert Francaveglia as chief, marked his first anniversary in the position while on paid administrative leave, which began in late August 2024.
Lt. Travis Woods is acting officer in charge.
In mid-January, councilman John Ruocco, the borough’s immediate past mayor, told us, “The investigation has produced an outcome which I am not at liberty to describe due to pending litigation but which conceivably could lead to a situation that might affect the management of the Hillsdale police force and the effectiveness of law enforcement in the borough for years to come.”
Ruocco added then, “Hillsdale has been without an active chief of police for far too long. If, after the hearing process and any appeals are complete, Chief Smith chooses not to return or is not permitted to return by the mayor and council, it is vital that we promptly commence an external search for candidates.”
We reached out to Smith for comment on this story.