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 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	Republican (2011–present)
Other political affiliations	Democratic (before 2011)
Education	West Coast University (BS) University of Phoenix (MPA)

James E. Craig, born in 1956, is an American police official. He was the chief of the Detroit Police Department from 2013 to 2021. Before that, he led the police departments in Cincinnati, Ohio and Portland, Maine.

Craig is a member of the Republican Party. He tried to become governor of Michigan in 2022. However, he was removed from the ballot because of issues with signatures. He then ran an unsuccessful write-in campaign. In October 2023, he announced he would run for a U.S. Senate seat in Michigan. He stopped his Senate campaign in February 2024.

Early Life and Police Beginnings

James Craig was born and grew up in Detroit, Michigan. His father was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He also served as a reserve police officer. This was during the 1967 Detroit riot, when James was in fifth grade.

Craig graduated from Cass Technical High School. He joined the Detroit Police Department in 1977.

Craig's Policing Career

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

From 2009 to 2011, he was the police chief for the Portland Police Department in Portland, Maine. Then, from 2011 to 2013, he was 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.

Leading the Detroit Police Department

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

Craig had said he would only return to the Detroit Police Department if he could be the police chief. He was appointed chief by Detroit's emergency manager, Kevyn Orr. Craig officially started his new role on July 1, 2013.

In his first year as chief, the number of homicide cases dropped by 10 percent. It went from 332 cases in 2013 to 300 in 2014.

Crime Rates and Public Statements

Craig speaking to news reporters in 2018

In early 2014, Craig gained attention for saying that more armed citizens could lower the crime rate. In 2017, Craig stated that crime had been steadily decreasing since he took office in 2013. Data from a new software system in Detroit showed a 5 percent drop in violent crime in 2016.

However, the Federal Bureau of Investigation disagreed with his claim. They suggested that violent crime had actually increased by 15.7 percent between 2015 and 2016. Craig and others did not accept their findings.

In 2020, Detroit saw a 19 percent rise in homicide cases. Non-deadly shootings went up by 53 percent. This was part of a national trend of increasing crime. Homicide cases also rose in cities like Boston and Chicago. In Craig's last five months as chief (January 1-May 31, 2021), homicides in Detroit were up 27%. Non-fatal shootings increased by 44%. Craig said the COVID-19 pandemic and protests contributed to the rise in crime.

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

In 2020, Craig criticized federal agencies like the Drug Enforcement Administration. He claimed they used an informant named Kenyel Brown. Craig removed Detroit police officers from a joint task force with the DEA. He also had disagreements with local judges and the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. He felt that bonds for defendants were too low. He also thought plea agreements and sentences were too lenient. County Prosecutor Kym Worthy suggested that police investigations were often not thorough enough. After Craig left, she called him a "glory seeker."

Craig sometimes called people involved in mass shootings "urban terrorists." In December 2015, Craig said that terrorists were unlikely to attack Detroit. This was because many residents had concealed carry permits.

In January 2016, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan named Craig as the city's deputy mayor. In 2022, Duggan criticized Craig's time as police chief. He noted that violent crime in Detroit did not drop until James White became chief in June 2021.

Craig (left), accompanied by Mayor Mike Duggan, announces his retirement

As police chief, Craig started Project Green Light. This program provides police with live stream videos from businesses. This helps them respond faster to crimes. He also began programs to reduce gang membership. He organized large-scale searches for people with outstanding warrants. In August 2019, Craig defended the police use of facial recognition software. This technology was criticized by Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. The Detroit Board of Police Commissioners decided to limit facial recognition policies. It would only be used for still images of suspects in criminal investigations. Craig welcomed and praised this decision.

Running for Office

In May 2021, news reports said Craig would retire from the Detroit police. He had met with Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. Ducey chairs the Republican Governors Association. Craig also met with other Republican officials. They discussed a possible run for governor of Michigan in 2022. He would have run against the current Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer.

On June 1, 2021, Craig retired after 44 years in law enforcement. He announced his campaign on a TV show in July 2021.

2022 Michigan Governor Race

On September 14, 2021, Craig tried to announce his bid for governor. This was on Belle Isle. However, protestors surrounded him and chanted. He could not be heard. He later made his official announcement from a former General Motors building in Detroit. During his campaign, Craig sought support from Donald Trump. He did not share his view on Trump's claim that the 2020 presidential election was "stolen."

In May 2022, there were questions about some signatures on his petitions. Craig admitted there might have been fraud by people collecting signatures. State election officials ruled that Craig and four other Republican candidates did not have enough valid signatures. This made him unable to be on the ballot for the party nomination. Craig filed a lawsuit to get on the ballot, but it was rejected. He then started a write-in campaign for the Republican primary nomination.

2024 U.S. Senate Race

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

Personal Life

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

Sources

• mlive article on Craig
• May 21, 2015 Detroit Free Press