James Craig (police chief) - Wikipedia

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James Craig was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He has a doctoral degree in management and a master's degree in management and public administration from the University of Phoenix. He also has a bachelor's degree in business management from West Coast University. James has one son and one daughter.

Former police chief James Craig announces runs for Detroit mayor ...

James is a retired law enforcement official. He served as chief of the Detroit Police Department from 2013 to 2021. Before that, he led the Cincinnati Police Department from 2011 to 2013 and the Portland (Maine) Police Department from 2009 to 2011. 

James’s campaign for mayor of Detroit is his third run for public office. He previously ran for governor of Michigan in 2022 but was disqualified from the ballot. He also ran for the U.S. Senate in 2024 before suspending his campaign. 

2025 Michigan General Election

2025 Michigan Primary Election

Wants to assist small neighborhood businesses by reducing red tape and attracting new businesses to the city.

Supports attracting new businesses and industries to Detroit to create more job opportunities for residents.

Supports attracting new businesses and industries to Detroit to create more job opportunities.

Supports workforce development programs that offer job training, apprenticeships, and career pathways for Detroiters in high-demand fields.

Supports offering job training, apprenticeships, and career pathways for Detroiters in high-demand fields.

Supports collaborating with local businesses to create internship and job placement programs for young people.

Supports working with local businesses to create internship and job placement programs for young people.

Plans to improve efficiency and reduce wasteful spending.

- Wants to assist small neighborhood businesses by reducing red tape and attracting new businesses to the city.
- Supports attracting new businesses and industries to Detroit to create more job opportunities.
- Supports offering job training, apprenticeships, and career pathways for Detroiters in high-demand fields.
- Supports working with local businesses to create internship and job placement programs for young people.
- Plans to improve efficiency and reduce wasteful spending.

Economy

Housing & Urban Development

Said he would "double down" on neighborhood safety and prioritize community policing as mayor.

Believes in increasing resources for first responders, including training, equipment, and support.

Supports crime prevention initiatives that address root causes, including youth mentorship programs, mental health support, and rehabilitation services.

Supports crime prevention strategies such as youth mentorship programs, mental health support, and rehabilitation services.

Supports holding repeat offenders accountable while investing in programs that reduce recidivism.

- Supports arming teachers.
- Said he would "double down" on neighborhood safety and prioritize community policing as mayor.
- Believes in increasing resources for first responders, including training, equipment, and support.
- Supports crime prevention strategies such as youth mentorship programs, mental health support, and rehabilitation services.
- Supports holding repeat offenders accountable while investing in programs that reduce recidivism.

Public Safety

As of June 2, 2025, James Craig’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Healthcare

Supports implementing stronger anti-corruption measures and ensuring full accountability for city officials.

Supports "increasing transparency by making city budgets, contracts, and spending publicly accessible and easy to understand."

Supports "increasing transparency by making city budgets, contracts, and spending [available to the public] and easy to understand."

- Supports implementing stronger anti-corruption measures and ensuring full accountability for city officials.
- Supports "increasing transparency by making city budgets, contracts, and spending [available to the public] and easy to understand."

Public Services

Energy & the Environment

Supports investing in infrastructure improvements, including roads, public transit, and technology, to foster city growth.

Supports investing in infrastructure improvements, including roads, public transit, and technology.

- Supports investing in infrastructure improvements, including roads, public transit, and technology.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Supports partnering with local schools, educators, and community organizations to enhance education quality and student outcomes.

Supports working with local schools, teachers, and community organizations to improve education quality and student performance.

Supports expanding vocational and technical training programs to prepare students for high-paying careers in skilled trades, technology, and other growing industries.

Supports better vocational and technical training programs to prepare students for high-paying jobs in skilled trades, technology, and other growing industries.

Supports strengthening after-school and mentorship programs to keep kids engaged and supported.

Supports strengthening after-school and mentorship programs.

- Supports working with local schools, teachers, and community organizations to improve education quality and student performance.
- Supports better vocational and technical training programs to prepare students for high-paying jobs in skilled trades, technology, and other growing industries.
- Supports strengthening after-school and mentorship programs.

Education

Ethics & Conduct

Twitter

Facebook

James Craig

Criticized Democratic mayors in Chicago and Los Angeles while praising Mayor Mike Duggan's leadership.

As police chief, improved response times, homicide clearance rates, and opened new police stations.

Said "unapologetic" about his conservative stances, including past statements in support of arming teachers with guns and calling Black Lives Matter protesters Marxists.

Described kicking a former City Council member out of his office after being asked whether he was under investigation.

As of June 3, 2025, James Craig’s website did not contain information on this issue.

James was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He has a doctoral degree in management and a master's degree in management and public administration from the University of Phoenix. He also has a bachelor's degree in business management from West Coast University. James has one son and one daughter.

James Craig seeks cross-party coalition in Detroit mayoral race

James Craig’s campaign for mayor of Detroit is his third run for public office. He previously ran for governor of Michigan in 2022 but was disqualified from the ballot. He also ran for the U.S. Senate in 2024 before suspending his campaign. 

James was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Cass Technical High School and joined the Detroit Police Department in 1977. His father was a veteran of the U. S. Army and served as a reserve police officer during the 1967 Detroit riot, when James was in fifth grade. James has one son and one daughter and has been married four times to three different women. His son, OVO James Craig, is a hip-hop artist.

James Craig is a retired law enforcement official. He served as chief of the Detroit Police Department from 2013 to 2021. Before that, he led the Cincinnati Police Department from 2011 to 2013 and the Portland (Maine) Police Department from 2009 to 2011. Craig retired on June 1, 2021, after 44 years in law enforcement. During his final year as Detroit’s police chief, he also served as deputy mayor, helping support the city’s recovery from bankruptcy. His tenure in Detroit included a broad expansion of police surveillance technology through the installation of Project Green Light cameras in participating businesses.

James E. Craig’s campaign for mayor of Detroit is his third run for public office. A member of the Republican Party, he previously ran in the party’s primary for governor of Michigan in 2022 but was disqualified from the ballot due to false signatures and ran an unsuccessful write-in campaign. He then announced a run for the U.S. Senate in 2024 before suspending his campaign. In March 2025, he declared his candidacy for mayor of Detroit, seeking to succeed Mike Duggan, who is not seeking re-election.

- Wants to assist small neighborhood businesses by reducing red tape and attracting new businesses to the city.
- Supports attracting new businesses and industries to Detroit to create more job opportunities.
- Supports offering job training, apprenticeships, and career pathways for Detroiters in high-demand fields.

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- A mayor’s job can be different in each city, but they usually make sure city laws are followed, help create and manage the city’s budget, appoint people to boards and committees, and oversee city services like police, fire departments, parks, and public transportation.
- The mayor works with the city council and sometimes helps make decisions by voting.
- They may be elected in partisan elections or nonpartisan elections, depending on the city. 
- They are elected to a two- or four-year term, depending on the city.

The highest elected official at the city level.