James Craig (police chief) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Craig
Craig in 2021
Chief of the Detroit Police Department
In office July 1, 2013 – June 1, 2021
Mayor	Dave Bing Mike Duggan
Preceded by	Chester Logan
Succeeded by	James White
Chief of the Cincinnati Police Department
In office August 2011 – June 2013
Mayor	Mark Mallory
Succeeded by	Jeffrey Blackwell
Chief of the Portland (Maine) Police Department
In office May 2009 – August 2011
Mayor	Jill Duson Nick Mavodones
Preceded by	Timothy Burton
Succeeded by	Michael Sauschuck
Personal details
Born	1956 (age 68–69) Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Political party	Democratic (before 2011) Republican (2011–present)
Education	West Coast University (BS) University of Phoenix (MPA)

James E. Craig (born in 1956) is an American law enforcement officer and politician. He served as the chief of the Detroit Police Department from 2013 to 2021. Before that, he was the chief of the Cincinnati Police Department from 2011 to 2013. Craig is a member of the Republican Party. He ran for governor of Michigan in 2022 and for the U.S. Senate in 2024, but was not chosen by his party. As of July 2025, he is a candidate for mayor of Detroit.

Early Life and Police Start

Craig was born and grew up in Detroit, Michigan. His father was a U.S. Army veteran and a reserve police officer. James Craig was in fifth grade during the 1967 Detroit riot. He finished high school at Cass Technical High School. In 1977, he joined the Detroit Police Department.

Early Police Career

Craig first worked for the Detroit Police Department from 1977 until 1981. After that, he moved to Los Angeles. He worked for the LAPD for almost 30 years.

Police Chief Roles

Chief in Portland, Maine (2009–2011)

From 2009 to 2011, James Craig was the police chief for the Portland Police Department in Portland, Maine.

Chief in Cincinnati (2011–2013)

From 2011 to 2013, he was the chief of police for the Cincinnati Police Department in Cincinnati, Ohio. During his time in Cincinnati, the crime rate was the lowest it had been since 2000.

Chief of the Detroit Police Department (2013–2021)

Craig (right) with Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives Jase Bolger in 2014

Craig (left), with Mayor Mike Duggan, announcing his retirement

After working for the Detroit Police Department earlier in his career, Craig had said he would only return if he could be the police chief. Detroit's emergency manager, Kevyn Orr, appointed him to the role. Craig officially became chief on July 1, 2013.

Before Craig, the Detroit police department had many changes in leadership. Craig was the fifth police chief in five years. However, Craig stayed in the role for a long time. He became the city's second-longest serving police chief. He retired in 2021.

In January 2016, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan also named Craig as the city's deputy mayor. He held this extra role for a short time.

Addressing Crime in Detroit

In his first year as chief, the number of homicide cases in Detroit dropped by 10 percent. In early 2014, Craig gained attention for saying that more armed citizens could help lower the crime rate. He stated in 2017 that crime was decreasing since he took office. However, the Federal Bureau of Investigation disagreed with his numbers for 2015-2016.

In 2020, Detroit saw an increase in homicides and non-deadly shootings. This was part of a national trend of rising crime. Craig said the COVID-19 pandemic and protests contributed to the increase.

Craig (right) and Mayor Mike Duggan holding a press conference about the city's response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Craig also had disagreements with federal agencies and local legal officials. He felt that some legal decisions were too lenient. Mayor Duggan later noted that violent crime in Detroit began to decline after James White became chief in June 2021, after Craig's retirement.

Project Green Light

Craig speaking to news reporters in 2018 about Project Green Light

As police chief, Craig started Project Green Light. This program provides police with live stream videos from businesses. This helps police respond faster to crimes. He also started programs to reduce gang activity and find people with outstanding warrants.

In August 2019, Craig supported the police use of facial recognition software. This technology was criticized by some, but the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners later limited its use to still images in criminal investigations, which Craig supported.

George Floyd Protests

On May 28, 2020, after George Floyd's death, Craig supported the Minneapolis Police Chief's decision to quickly dismiss the officers involved. Craig said that keeping trust in communities is very important. He called Floyd's death "horrific and senseless."

During the George Floyd protests in Detroit, Craig enforced a curfew ordered by Mayor Duggan. Craig said he wanted to support protesters' First Amendment rights. He stated that the Detroit Police Department would support the message of most protesters. However, he added that they would not support property damage. Craig said most protesters in Detroit were peaceful. He blamed any disruptions on people from outside the city.

Craig and his department received some criticism for how they handled the protests. A documentary released in 2021 showed evidence of police violence against protesters. The city later paid money to protesters to settle a lawsuit. This lawsuit accused Craig of allowing officers to use too much force.

Craig often appeared on conservative news channels to talk about the protests. He has called some Black Lives Matter protesters "marxists". He has also said that Detroit handled the protests better than other large cities.

Political Campaigns

2022 Michigan Governor Election

In May 2021, news reports said Craig would retire from the Detroit police. He had met with Republican officials about possibly running for governor of Michigan in 2022. He would have run against the current governor, Gretchen Whitmer. Craig retired on June 1, 2021, after 44 years in law enforcement.

On September 14, 2021, Craig tried to announce his campaign for governor. However, protesters made it hard to hear him. He later made his official announcement in Detroit. During his campaign, Craig tried to get the support of Donald Trump, but Trump endorsed another candidate.

In May 2022, Craig faced issues with signatures on his election petitions. State election officials ruled that he did not have enough valid signatures to be on the ballot. He tried to get on the ballot through a lawsuit, but it was rejected. Craig then ran a write-in campaign, but he did not win the Republican nomination.

2024 U.S. Senate Campaign

On October 3, 2023, Craig announced he would run for the United States Senate in 2024. He was one of several Republican candidates. On February 13, 2024, he announced he was ending his campaign. However, he said he was interested in running for Detroit mayor in 2025.

2025 Detroit Mayoral Election

In March 2025, Craig announced he was running for mayor of Detroit. He is seeking to replace Mayor Duggan, who is not running again. The mayoral election is nonpartisan, meaning candidates do not run as members of a political party. There will be a primary election, and the top two candidates will go to the general election.

As a mayoral candidate, Craig has not hidden his connection to the Republican Party or his past support for Donald Trump. He believes this connection could help him work with a future Trump White House for the city's benefit. Craig is known to many voters in Detroit. He is considered one of the most recognized candidates in the race.

Political Views

Craig sees himself as a conservative. He is a member of the Republican Party. He has supported Donald Trump's campaigns for president.

Personal Life

James Craig has a son and a daughter. He has been married four times to three different women. His son, OVO James Craig, is a hip-hop artist.