James Craig, Cincinnati’s top cop is being eyed for the same position with the Detroit Police Department. It wouldn’t be to much of a stretch for Craig to take the reigns in the Motor City as he is a native of Detroit and served on Detroit’s police force, before a 28 year stint with Los Angeles Police Department. Following his tenure with LAPD Craig became police chief in Portland, Maine and has served as Cinicnatti’s police chief since 2011.
Craig, 56, is one of two people being strongly considered for the job by Mayor Dave Bing and Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr. The identity of the other top candidate was not available.
“I haven’t gotten an official offer yet,” Craig said, adding that he hoped to hear from Detroit leaders this week. “I’m excited about the opportunity, and I’m going to have to be a little patient.”
The new chief will replace interim Police Chief Chester Logan, 65, who has said he will retire after helping with the transition. Logan was appointed by Bing to serve in the interim after former Chief Ralph Godbee Jr. retired in October amid a sex scandal.
Emerhency financial manager Kevin Orr will get the final say on who becomes police chief, but it is expected that Orr will work with Mayor Dave Bing in making the selection.
However, members of Cincinnati’s City Council are working diligently to retain Craig, praising him for work he has done. Cincinnati has about 300,000 people, with more than 1,000 officers. Detroit’s population is more than twice that of Cincinnati’s; there are fewer than 3,000 police officers in Detroit.
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