Hillsdale Police Promote Officer to Sergeant

Hillsdale has decided to promote Police Officer Sean Smith as the borough's newest sergeant, according to Police Chief Chip Stalter.

Smith has been with the Hillsdale Police Department for about 15 years and serves as the D.A.R.E. officer and coordinator with schools, according to Stalter.

Stalter said that almost all of the borough's officers applied for the promotion, and all were good candidates for the position.

"We could have promoted any of them, but we saw Sean as the best fit for our current needs," Stalter said.

Hillsdale normally has four sergeants, but was short one since the retirement of John Scordato. One sergeant supervises each shift.

There has been some turnover in the department this year. In addition to Scordato's retirement, former Hillsdale Police Officer Jeff Angermeyer left for a job with the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office. His replacement, .

Stalter said Tuesday that Police Officer Ramon Cruz will likely leave for a job in Bergenfield in early November. He said the department may give a conditional offer of employment to their second choice from the recent hiring, provided the candidate passes physical, mental and background checks, and that Cruz does end up leaving.

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