New police chief takes the reins in Bloomfield Township

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — As of July 1, there’s a new chief in town.

Capt. James Gallagher was unanimously named the new chief of police by the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees.

Gallagher replaces former Chief Phil Langmeyer, who retired from his post July 1 after over 30 years of service to Bloomfield Township.

“It’s been a pleasure serving the people of Bloomfield Township and the men and women of this department,” Langmeyer said. “As the department moves forward, I know that our tradition of excellence will continue far into the future, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead the Bloomfield Township Police Department.”

The Bloomfield Township Police Department, according to Langmeyer, has some of “the finest law enforcement professionals in the state.”

“I’ve been privileged to have the opportunity to lead them. Their dedication, diligence and professionalism are what make this department one of the best,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed an amazing career here, and I’m confident with the leadership that we have in place that the department will continue to serve the residents with distinction.”

Gallagher was first hired into the Bloomfield Township Police Department in 2000.

“Over Jim’s career, he has done a lot of different things. But two highlights for him are, he was a field training officer for many of the young men and women (the department has) today. He started them out in their career and got them going down the right path and taught them how to do this job,” Langmeyer explained. “The other one is, Jim’s a dispatcher. Reality is, he still puts on the headset and goes and fills in when it’s needed — there’s not a whole lot of people that can do that. He still goes in there and always says, ‘I want to stay up to speed on all the changes in case I’m needed’ — and that’s Jim in a nutshell.”

Gallagher has served the township “with distinction” throughout his career, according to Langmeyer. In 2001, Gallagher was awarded a letter of recognition. In 2006, he was awarded a bravery award from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office while serving on the Oakland County Narcotics Enforcement Team. In 2007, he was given a meritorious service award from both Bloomfield Township and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. He received a lifesaving award in 2009 and 2013, and he was the officer of the year in 2012. Gallagher was promoted to sergeant in 2014, lieutenant in 2017 and captain in 2019.

“Throughout Jim’s career he has excelled. His drive and work ethic are second to none,” Langmeyer added.

Gallagher, who earned his bachelor’s degree at Ferris State University, is a 2018 graduate of the Michigan State University School of Staff and Command and currently serves as an instructor there. He’s also a founding member of the Bloomfield Township Police Department Benevolent Association and served as the group’s president for many years.

“He’s always here when he is needed, and we don’t even have to ask. If there is a big incident going on, you can count on Jim showing up, but he’s not going to go there as a commander. He’s going to go there to do whatever needs to be done. … Jim’s background and experience give him a well-rounded knowledge of law enforcement and he stays abreast of changes when they occur,” Langmeyer explained.

Gallagher said he is “humbled and honored” to lead “this great department.”

“You don’t make this journey without support,” Gallagher said. “I’m excited for this opportunity and I’m excited to lead this group of people — but really they lead us; there’s not much that we need to do. I bleed Bloomfield. I bleed this Police Department. I bleed this township.”

For more information about the Bloomfield Township Police Department, email police_dept@bloomfieldtwp.org or call the department’s non-emergency line at (248) 433-7755.