HILLSDALE—Almost 27 years ago to the day he was sworn in as the borough’s 10th police chief on Jan. 2, Sean Smith joined the police department after serving four years in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Nearly three decades later, he remembered that day fondly. It’s bittersweet.
“To the members of the Hillsdale Police Department: I want you to know that I work for you. I may be your chief, but I will never forget the roots of where I came from. My Marine experience left me with a dedication to duty and a deep loyalty. There is a lot of pride in the job we do and it’s always been an honorable profession,” Smith said in brief remarks, his first as chief, at borough hall.
He said, “I come from a law enforcement family and policing was my calling… Bear with me here, because this next sentence is tough.” His voice cracking, he said, “I want to dedicate this promotion to my mother: She passed on Christmas Day. She held the Bible for me when I got sworn in back in 1997. Today, she pins the badge on me from high above.”
Smith, who is the department’s historian and a twice-published author on Hillsdale; who helped lead the borough’s 125th Anniversary Committee activities; and whose father, Thomas, retired as a Tenafly police captain, said, “Thank you everyone for having the confidence in me to lead the Hillsdale Police Department; I will make you proud.”
As the audience cheered, Smith saluted them.
Earlier in his speech, Smith said he was honored to be Hillsdale’s new police chief, noting he planned to strengthen residents’ relationship with its police force, building on gains forged under his predecessor, Robert Francavigilia, who retired after three decades here.
Under Francavigilia, the department gained accreditation with the State of New Jersey. (Francavigilia, who completed the New Jersey State Chiefs Associations West Point Command and Leadership Academy, says online, “I have created an agency where you are held accountable and [we] changed the culture of the organization. During my tenure we have developed numerous community outreach programs.”)
Smith noted, “I am 100% committed to community policing and ensuring we deliver the highest quality of police services we can provide. I want to thank the governing body and borough administrator who has listened and worked with us to strengthen the force and ensure we have the tools and training to operate an efficient operation. I value our relationship and again, I’m committed to strengthening it. As a resident, it’s comforting to know we have such dedicated volunteers that are willing to keep Hillsdale such a beautiful community.”
Smith acknowledged “my support team: my family. There is no way to endure this job without a strong family behind you. I’m so proud of my blended family of five children and my most loyal fan, my wife Maria, now the first lady.”
Newly sworn mayor Michael Sheinfield said Smith was heavily involved with the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program; in 2012 Smith was promoted to patrol sergeant; in 2014 he was promoted to lieutenant; and in 2015 was promoted to captain, a rank he held for nine years.
Smith is a former United States Marine Corps machine gunner who had served in Operation Restore Hope—which helped create a secure environment for humanitarian efforts in Somalia in the early 1990s.
Sheinfield noted that In 2016, Smith completed the certified public manager program from Rutgers University in 2019 he was selected to attend the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, Va., and upon returning from the academy, Smith presented the county’s first mandatory wellness program that the department ultimately adopted.
(See “Smith graduates FBI National Academy With Eye on Officer Wellness,” April 8, 2019.)
Moreover, Sheinfield noted, Sean has earned several citations during his career, including a kidnapping apprehension, lifesaving actions, End D.W.I., and service-in-the-delivery-of-a-baby awards.
Officers promoted
After Smith’s remarks, he officiated over the promotions of two officers: Travis Woods to lieutenant and David Sayer to sergeant. Sheinfield swore in both men.
Lt. Travis Woods:
Smith said Woods joined the department in January 2014, after leaving the Carteret Police Department. Prior to joining law enforcement, he graduated from Edison High School. Woods obtained an associate’s degree in Arts from Essex County College.
Smith noted Woods is a proud veteran of the United States Navy, where he served as an operational intelligence specialist. Woods is a proud member of the Bergen County Regional SWAT since 2016, where he holds the position of assistant team leader, said Smith.
He said Woods has served the department as a patrolman, a detective, a patrol sergeant and now a lieutenant.
Woods’ wife, Shana, held the Bible during the swearing-in as his two young sons, Austin and Conner, observed the brief ceremony. His wife then pinned on his new badge.
Sgt. David Sayers:
Smith said that Sgt. Dave Sayers was hired as a patrolman in July 2005, and throughout his 18-year career, Sayers has received awards and citations “too numerous to mention.”
He said that Sayers “shines in the area of community policing,” including school resource officer, firearms investigation bureau, founding member of the popular Youth Leadership Academy, Junior Police Academy instructor “and the most popular DARE officer in the history of the department, without question.”
Smith said, “I joke when I say Dave is our resident rock star and Dave, this promotion is long overdue.”
Sayers’ wife, Laura, pinned on his new badge, with son Jack holding the Bible and D.J. nearby.
Sayers said, “I do have to tell you that I’ve been waiting a little bit of time for these stripes. But I didn’t tell my family, I didn’t tell my friends about this promotion process. I really didn’t tell it, or make it a big deal. The reason is: These stripes are not my stripes. These are my mom and dad’s stripes. They gave 40 years to the town of Hillsdale; they’re my kids’ stripes, who dedicate their time to Hillsdale; they’re they fire department’s; the EMTs’; the OEM’s; the DPW; all these people up here; the volunteers of our town; it’s your stripes, everybody.”
He said, “I appreciate everyone and everything and I will be there to serve your community from here until I retire and I promise you that.”
After a half-hour plus focused on the police department, Smith jokingly added, “Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes the Hillsdale Police Department portion of the council meeting. If you want to stick around and watch three hours of great entertainment, you certainly can but we’re going to have a drink—we’re going to celebrate. Thank you so much for coming, everyone.”