HILLSDALE, N.J. — A separation agreement between immediate past Police Chief Sean Smith and the borough provides him $175,000 in “full satisfaction of back pay” and other compensation due from his employment, according to a document released to Pascack Press via a public records request.
The five-page agreement notes that Smith retired in good standing as of April 1 and is entitled to certain borough benefits.
Smith had been placed on paid administrative leave last summer in connection with an undisclosed disciplinary matter. He was terminated Jan. 1, 2025, based on a confidential report and recommendation from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office. Pascack Press requested a copy of the report and recommendation letter but received no response.
Smith, 56, a Marine veteran, served the Hillsdale Police Department for nearly three decades and was appointed the borough’s 10th police chief in January 2024 under a three-year contract.
The agreement specifies that the $175,000 payment is split into two parts: $87,500 already paid through payroll, less standard deductions, which Smith acknowledges; and a separate check for $87,500 to be issued within 60 days of the agreement’s signing. Smith and Mayor Michael Sheinfield signed the agreement on May 19. The borough clerk emailed a copy to Pascack Press on May 22, after receiving the signed version.
Asked about the agreement, Sheinfield told Pascack Press, “Sean’s a friend. We both signed the agreement and shook hands. We’re friends. He’s comfortable with it and all his questions were answered.”
Sheinfield said in part, “Nobody was dealt a good hand in all of this. The public wants to know more. You want to know more. Obviously we have to protect everyone’s rights. I’m glad that this is settled, I want him [Smith] to move on as well and I hope that this gives him the closure he needs to move on from this situation and do what’s best for himself.”
The agreement was approved by the borough council on April 15. No public comments were made at the time, and the document was not made immediately available.
At that meeting, Councilman John Ruocco said, “Like all council members, I read the December letter from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office containing their investigative findings and recommendations. I believed then, and still do, that the average fair-minded resident would take exception to the findings and would certainly disagree with the severity of the recommended action.”
On April 16, Ruocco told Pascack Press, “I think even if one agreed with the BCPO’s findings, the recommended course of action by the BCPO would be judged as disproportionate. I shared these views with my fellow councilmembers and the administration. I was not alone in expressing these views.”
Lt. Travis Woods, who had served as officer-in-charge since last summer, was unanimously appointed by the council as Smith’s successor and was sworn in following the May 13 council meeting. A formal swearing-in ceremony for Woods and the new command staff is scheduled for an upcoming council session, according to administrator Mike Ghassali.