Gallagher named new township police chief

By Lisa Brody

Captain James Gallagher was unanimously named the new chief of the Bloomfield Township Police Department at the board of trustees meeting on Monday, May 23, following the announcement of chief Phil Langmeyer's retirement.

Both become effective July 1, 2022.

In introducing his replacement, Langmeyer said that Gallagher, with the department since 2000, “was a field training officer for a lot of our officers.”

Another distinction that Gallagher holds, Langmeyer said, is that Gallagher was – and still is – a dispatcher for the department. “He still puts on a headset when he's needed. That's Jim,” said Langmeyer.

Gallagher has a distinctive resume, Langmeyer pointed out, as a highly decorated officer. In 2006, he was detailed to the Oakland County Narcotics Team, promoted to sergeant in 2014 and captain in 2019, was the township's “Covid czar,” and is founding member of the Bloomfield Township Benevolence Society, with which he continues to be involved.

“His drive and work ethic are second-to-none,” Langmeyer said. “He'll show up, always to help. Jim sets high expectations for himself but always get the work done to get there.”

Also receiving promotions were sergeant Matt Hill, who was promoted to lieutenant, and officers Jim Schumaker and Tony Watchowski to sergeant.