City's Interim Police Chief Has Civil Rights, Police Background

DETROIT — James White — a native Detroiter and 24-year veteran of the Detroit Police Department — will be the department's interim police chief when James Craig retires on June 1, Mayor Mike Duggan said at a news conference Monday.

Duggan said he met with several current and former people he was considering for the interim police chief position prior to naming White as Craig's immediate replacement.

“The level of talent within DPD, and that has come through DPD, is extraordinary and each of the individuals I met with are deeply respected and would make outstanding interim Chiefs,” Duggan said. “However, James White has the depth and breadth of experience that I feel have prepared him to lead this department forward. He has my full support as well as the full support of every member of City Council and Board of Police Commissioners.”

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Craig announced his retirement last week, with rumors mounting that he is eyeing a run for the governor's seat in 2022.

White has a long career in law enforcement, rising through the ranks before ultimately becoming the city's assistant police chief in 2012. He was selected by the Michigan Civil Rights Commission to lead the Department of Civil Rights.

White left DPD in August 2020 when he was named Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights by the Michigan Civil Rights Commission. He also serves as a member of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Cabinet.

White said he was humbled to have been appointed the city's interim chief.

“In the coming weeks, I will be assembling a team of tenured officers and executives to help with the transition," he said. "I look forward to working with the Mayor, city and community leaders, the Board of Police Commissioners, and the men and women of this great department in reducing crime while at the same time inspiring community support and confidence.”

Where To From Here

Now that Craig's interim replacement has been named, Duggan will turn his sights toward finding a long-term replacement.

Under the city's charter, the city's board of police commissioners will conduct its own search using a search firm and will then present Duggan a list of candidates to choose from. Once Duggan has selected the person he believes should replace Craig, that choice has to be confirmed by a majority vote from the Detroit City Council.

Duggan said he hopes to have a new chief selected and confirmed within the next 60-90 days. White said he is interested in the city's full-time chief vacancy.