Watch CBS News

First Priority Of New Police Chief - Lower Crime Rate

DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit officially gets a new police chief on Monday and James Craig says one of his first priorities is to lower the crime rate.

"...but I can't do that if I don't raise the moral - there is a connection to raising officer moral and reducing crime," said Craig. "I saw it in Cinncinati, reducing crime meant our moral went up, our clearance rate in homicide went up - we had as high last year as 75 percent clearance rate in homicide - and I say to people that doesn't happen by accident."

Craig started his police career in Detroit when he was 19 years old. He was the police chief in Cincinnati before being tapped for the top job in Motown.

Interim Detroit Police Chief Chester Logan said in May that he was planning to retire as the city continues its search to fill the job permanently.

Logan said he will step down after a new chief has been hired. He has spent 45 years on the force and cited his wife's poor health as part of the reason for leaving.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.