Cst. Gallagher was selected Top Cop for his exceptional volunteer commitment to coaching minor hockey, basketball and Special Olympics athletes for more than a decade.
Marking the award’s 41-year history, the Kiwanis Club of Edmonton – Oil Capital, remains committed to recognizing an outstanding Edmonton Police Service officer for their volunteer contributions.
Constable Chris Gallagher Biography
A father of twin girls, Cst. Chris Gallagher knows the importance a great mentor and role model can have in a young person’s life. Known to his players as “Coach Galley,” he has been coaching minor hockey, basketball and Special Olympics athletes for more than a decade.
Cst. Gallagher currently coaches the St. Albert SLAM Bantam girls basketball team, as well as St. Albert Minor Hockey Association’s Bantam and Peewee girls teams. While already coaching his daughters’ basketball and hockey teams, Galley also volunteered to coach the Bantam hockey team when he found out they were in danger of folding without a head coach. According to one of his many nomination letters, “On a typical weekend, Galley is routinely attending three games or practices each day, often travelling out of town for tournaments. Not surprisingly, Galley’s dedication and passion for the game has rubbed off on his players. Both of his teams are currently undefeated.”
Galley has also volunteered with Special Olympics for more than 15 years, going far beyond the role of coaching to organize tournaments, barbeques and matches between Special Olympics athletes and police members. He also lends his support to the annual Special Olympics fundraiser, “Free Our Finest.”
In addition to his coaching efforts, Cst. Gallagher gives school presentations during Career Days, teaches grade 6 science students about evidence and investigations, and has spoken on a panel at the Canadian Down Syndrome Conference.
An 11-year member of the EPS, Cst. Gallagher currently works in the Recruit Training Unit, where he draws on his talents and long experience as a coach to bring out the best in his recruits.