Christian W. Gallagher

Christian W. Gallagher serves as an Assistant Professor in the School of Criminology & Security Studies at Indiana State University, where he contributes to criminal justice education and research.

Dr. Gallagher's scholarly work focuses on legislative drug policy frameworks, technological integration in law enforcement operations, historical evolution of American policing systems, and qualitative research methodologies. His investigations examine how policy decisions translate to street-level enforcement, how digital tools transform police work, and how historical context informs contemporary practices. He employs in-depth qualitative approaches to understand complex criminal justice phenomena.

His recent collaborative research analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural sheriff departments in Indiana, identifying major operational changes across jail management, patrol procedures, and community relations. The study revealed both negative consequences (increased expenses, workforce losses, mental health challenges) and unexpected positive outcomes (reduced jail populations, decreased workloads) during the public health crisis.

Dr. Gallagher has co-authored a textbook for criminal justice report writing, demonstrating his commitment to practical educational resources for law enforcement professionals.