May 18th Breakfast Networking Meeting

Join Us For Our Special Guest Speaker:  

  JAMES CRAIG, DETROIT CHIEF OF POLICE

Chief Craig started his law enforcement career as a police officer with the Detroit Police Department 36 years ago. Following a reduction in staffing after three years, joined the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). During his LAPD tenure of 28 years, he worked a variety of assignments from administration to field. Most notable was the experience he gained in community policing, employee relations, and working as an adjacent to the police chief. As an area commanding officer, then Captain Craig, had an opportunity to lead a commited workforce in reducing overall crime and improving the quality of life in several neighborhoods in south Los Angeles.

Following his retirement from LAPD, he was appointed as the Police Chief in Portland, Maine where through significant organizational change,implemented successful community policing strategies, developed a strategic plan, and redesigned the department's structure to improve our efficiencies and service to Portland's diverse neighborhoods.

On August 2, 2011, he was named as the 13th police chief of the Cincinnati Police Department, the first outside appointed police chief, first African-American in the 204 year history of the Department. Building on my experiences from Los Angeles and Portland, ME, we realized a number of successful outcomes in Cincinnati, from reducing crime, instituting change, enhancing partnerships with our neighborhood, and sustaining. High morale of our rank and file officers. 

On July 1, 2013, Chief Craig obtained his life-long career goal of becoming Detroit's 42nd Chief of Police in the Department's 148 years of existence. While many challenges lie ahead, Chief Craig is committed to leading the Detroit Police Department to becoming the premier major city police agency in America. 

Specialties: Implementing successful community policing strategies;
Re-design police organizational structures in support of improved service delivery; and,
Skilled in employer-employee relations.