James Gallagher began his career with the Bloomfield Township Police Department on December 18, 2000, after graduating from Ferris State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. During his time as a police officer, Gallagher held positions as a Field Training Officer and CAD dispatch trained officer. He served as a member of the Oakland County Narcotics Enforcement Team and past President of the Bloomfield Township Police Benevolent Association. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2014 and supervised both the Patrol Division and Investigations Division. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2017 and served in the Patrol Division until his promotion to Captain in June, 2019. Gallagher oversaw the Patrol Operations Division and Administration Division consisting of budgeting, hiring, training, Animal Welfare and the Dispatch Center. Gallagher is a graduate of the Michigan State University School of Police Staff and Command and the FBI LEEDA Leadership Trilogy consisting of Supervisory, Command and Executive Leadership Institute. He is an Instructor at the Oakland Police Academy and a past Facilitator for the MSU School of Staff and Command.
He has also had the privilege of representing and coordinating the mental health co-response team in Bloomfield Township and in partnership with the Birmingham and Auburn Hills Police Departments.
On, July 1, 2022, Gallagher was promoted to Chief of Police. Chief Gallagher is honored by the opportunity to lead the great men and women of the Bloomfield Township Police Department and to provide best-in-class police services to the residents of Bloomfield Township. Chief Gallagher is thankful to the previous Chiefs who helped prepare him for this opportunity.
Chief Gallagher is a member of the following organizations:
- International Association of Chiefs of Police
- Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police
- Oakland County Association of Chiefs of Police
- Southeastern Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police