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Chief Craig: Detroit is home

Tana Weingartner
/
WVXU

Cincinnati Police Chief James Craig is officially going home. Craig is taking the top job in his hometown of Detroit.

"It's home," says Craig. "My family, my siblings, mom and dad who are aging, those are big draws... I started my policing career there almost 38 years ago. This is an opportunity to finish my policing career in a city that I love and make a difference."

Craig says he's excited about the opportunity and thankful for his time and the people in Cincinnati, adding he wouldn't have been considered for the Detroit job without his experiences here.

"I talked often about crime reduction and the fact that we ended last year with a substantial reduction in homicides and violent crime," says Craig. "The fact that some of our neighborhoods like Over-the-Rhine, certainly Avondale that didn't experience a homicide for an entire year... doesn't happen by accident. I say cops count and leadership does matter."

City Manager Milton Dohoney says crime went down under Craig's leadership so he is calling Craig's tenure a success.

Craig's first day in Detroit hasn't been set. His last day in Cincinnati will be June 22.

Assistant Chief Paul Humphries will fill the Chief's position while the city manager conducts a nationwide search for a replacement. Dohoney says that search will begin Wednesday and likely run through the summer.

In Detroit, Craig says his priority will be reducing violence. He also says it is important to improve officer morale and community trust in the police department.

Senior Editor and reporter at WVXU with more than 20 years experience in public radio; formerly news and public affairs producer with WMUB. Would really like to meet your dog.