West Orange Police Chief Is Retiring After 45 Years With Township

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange’s longtime police chief will be retiring on Dec. 1, the town’s mayor announced Friday.

James Abbott is retiring after more than 45 years with the township, according to a statement from Mayor Susan McCartney.

Abbott also served as the town’s director of staff operations until he was tapped as the business administrator in September 2023.

Abbott will continue to oversee police matters as chief – and will remain available for consultation as a senior policy advisor to McCartney and the township administration – until his last day with the township on Nov. 30, the mayor said.

Peter Smeraldo Jr. will take on all the responsibilities of interim business administrator beginning May 1 under the direction of the mayor’s office, McCartney said.

The mayor praised Abbott’s work with the township.

“There is no denying the fact that the chief is the first, most responsive individual to any situation or incident that occurs in our town and in our outlying communities,” McCartney said. “As mayor, on behalf of the township, we have been honored and blessed to have him serve in the capacity of interim business administrator and as our police chief.”

Abbott also got a fond farewell message from two former West Orange mayors: John McKeon and Robert Parisi.

McKeon, now a New Jersey senator, said Abbott is a “consummate professional of the upmost integrity and efficiency.”

“West Orange owes him a debt of gratitude,” McKeon said.

Parisi also congratulated Abbott on his upcoming retirement.

“His professionalism set the standard for decades among the township workforce and the delivery of quality services always strived for,” Parisi said.

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