James Craig

James Craig spent 44 years in law enforcement, starting out with the Detroit Police Department in 1977 and after a forced staffing reduction, joined the Los Angeles Police Department in 1981. Spending almost three decades rising through the ranks of the LAPD, Craig was responsible for overseeing many of the most violent areas in Los Angeles and achieved tremendous reductions in crime through implementing innovative strategies and building strong community partnerships.

Craig went on to serve as police chiefs in Portland, Maine, Cincinnati and was appointed as the 42nd Chief of the Detroit Police Department in 2013 during the city’s bankruptcy, the largest municipal bankruptcy filing in U.S. history. He is recognized for propelling the Detroit Police Department into 21st century policing standards and improving the public safety of Michigan’s largest city, which has been a key element in Detroit’s revival.

Throughout his tenure at DPD, Craig launched the Project Green Light, a public-private partnership aimed to reduce crime and the Real Time Crime Center. Craig has also been instrumental in changing the lives of those involved in gang and gun-violence through programs such as Cease Fire Detroit. He also established programs geared toward mentoring and empowering the youth of Detroit, such as The Brotherhood & Sisterhood Programs and Children's In Trauma Intervention Camp, known as C.I.T.I. Camp.

He was a leader of great integrity and accountability, striving to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the residents of Detroit. He designed the Neighborhood Police Officers Program, a very successful community-oriented initiative. Craig was also instrumental in developing the department's first-of-its-kind LGBTQ Liaison unit, an engagement effort that promotes open communication with members of the LGBTQ community throughout Detroit.

He is widely recognized for his leadership during the unrest of Summer 2020, as other cities around the country experienced looting, fires and riots.

Craig retired in 2021 and launched a gubernatorial campaign with a commitment to fix leadership in state government and institute an effective administration that fosters a collaborative environment to drive the vibrancy of the state’s economy and communities. Craig was the front-runner GOP candidate before being removed from the primary election ballot.

Craig has been asked to share his crisis leadership experiences at professional conferences and associations throughout the country including the National Sports Safety and Security Conference and NJ State Association of Chiefs of Police.

Featured twice on the cover of the National Rifle Association (NRA) America’s First Freedom magazine, appearances as a law enforcement expert on national news outlets include CNN, Fox News, Fox Business and Newsmax.

Recipient of the Champion of Change Award from the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM).