Bergen County Sheriff's Officer Charged With DWI In Secaucus

SECAUCUS, NJ — A Bergen County Sheriff's officer was arrested in Secaucus last month and charged with DWI after he got into a fight with a Secaucus resident, as well as having an open container of liquor in the car and refusing to take a Breathalyzer test.

As reported in that week's Secaucus police blotter, at 11:35 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, Secaucus police responded to 303 Paulanne Terrace on a report of a suspicious man in a vehicle. Police arrested a 24-year-old man of South Hackensack and charged him with driving while intoxicated. He was also issued three additional charges: Refusing to take a breath-alcohol test, having an open container in the car and reckless driving.

That man was identified by NJ Advance Media as Brian J. Smith, a Bergen County Sheriff's officer. He was off duty at the time of the arrest.

Smith got into an argument with a Secaucus town resident at the man's home on Paulanne Terrace that evening. That Secaucus resident says that Smith, while drunk, restrained him and then ordered the man's father to put his hands on the hood of a car. It was the Secaucus resident who called 911.

“He’s threatening my dad right now,” the Secaucus resident says in the 911 call, obtained by the Bergen Record. “I need officers right now, sir, please!”

Smith pleaded not guilty this past Tuesday, July 9 in Secaucus municipal court, according to the Bergen County Record. He has been "administratively reassigned" pending the outcome of the charges, meaning he is still working and collecting a salary but working in an administrative capacity. He is next due back in Secaucus town court July 30.