Capitol Police Chief Sean Gallagher Appointed as Acting Chief
Sean P. Gallagher, who faced scrutiny over a time card fraud incident in 2010 and received criticism from a senior officer for his inadequate performance during the January 6th events, has been named the acting chief of the US Capitol Police. This appointment comes as the search for a permanent chief begins following the retirement of J. Thomas Manger.
The selection process for the new chief involves a three-member committee, which includes officials from both the House and Senate, as well as representatives from the Capitol’s architecture team. Interestingly, Gallagher holds a non-voting role in this committee.
One officer remarked, “Even if the conduct is criminal, supervisors have a lower standard.” According to a source on Capitol Hill, Gallagher’s temporary appointment does not necessarily indicate he will secure the permanent position. Several police personnel have described his appointment as detrimental to the morale among officers.
Having been part of the Capitol Police for nearly 25 years, Gallagher has a controversial history, including felony-level time card fraud wherein he allegedly forged signatures to claim overtime payments.
On January 6th, Gallagher was heavily criticized, with allegations suggesting he and others in leadership roles essentially failed to act as rioters breached the Capitol building. “They just sat there,” one source mentioned, referring to Gallagher and others during the chaos when police fought to maintain order against overwhelming odds.
Some speculate that Gallagher’s current role is a strategic move to bolster his resume for future positions in law enforcement.
J. Thomas Manger, who served as chief from July 2021 until his recent retirement, managed a significant increase in budget following the January 6th incidents, requesting roughly $1 billion from Congress.
His tenure was marred by security issues, including incidents where individuals entered the Capitol with weapons, raising serious concerns about the management of security protocols.
Johnson, a former Capitol Police lieutenant, noted that if Gallagher achieves permanent status, the narrative surrounding January 6th could become skewed, blaming the incident solely on external factors instead of addressing internal failures. He also highlighted how Gallagher and other officials’ inaction led to dangerous situations for legislators during the riot.
Gallagher’s past misconduct was outlined in disciplinary records, which accused him of attempting to defraud the government for over $10,000 through multiple instances of time card manipulation. These actions were reportedly known but not adequately addressed at the time.
Overtime Fraud Investigation
Documents obtained indicate Gallagher participated in a time card fraud scheme involving himself and others, including Deputy Director John Erickson. Records show Gallagher manipulated overtime submissions, using a different colored pen to forge signatures and submitting fraudulent requests for pay.
Despite this alleged misconduct, Gallagher has maintained his position within the department, reflecting a broader culture wherein supervisory roles may not be held to strict accountability standards.
Gallagher has held a series of roles within the department since being promoted to acting chief in October 2023, following a lengthy period of service in various capacities.
As the US Capitol Police continue to navigate their tumultuous recent history, the appointment of Sean Gallagher as acting chief raises eyebrows, especially given his prior controversies.
