LANSING, Mich. — An issue that has dogged former Detroit police Chief James Craig for years has reemerged as he seeks the Republican nomination for governor — the fact he served as chief in both Detroit and Cincinnati without being a certified police officer.
The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards does not require police chiefs to be certified. Instead, certification is required for officers who perform duties such as making arrests or issuing tickets.
Early this year, Jersey City in New Jersey appointed a civilian, Tawana Moody, as police chief of that department.
But Michigan Radio reported Tuesday that when Craig took over the Detroit police force in 2013, he told the Free Press through a spokeswoman that he would voluntarily complete the process to become a fully certified officer. Public records show that Craig never followed through on that promise, Michigan Radio reported.
Michael Brown, a Michigan State Police captain from Stevensville who is also seeking the Republican nomination for governor, said Wednesday the issue is a serious one. If Craig was going to serve as chief without being certified, he should not have worn a police uniform and badges, Brown said.
"If you're going to masquerade as a police officer in uniform, you'd better be certified," Brown said.
"It's really about setting the example for all your police officers that you work with, that you understand exactly what they're doing on a day-to-day basis and you have the same training."
Ted Goodman, a spokesman for the Craig campaign, said Craig "has a lengthy, proven record of law enforcement excellence, including leading police departments prior to being asked to serve as the chief of the Detroit Police Department."
Goodman did not immediately respond to a follow-up question about why Craig did not follow through on his promise to voluntarily complete certification while serving in Detroit.
Certification, which Craig had when he worked as a police officer in Detroit at the start of his career, requires successfully completing written and physical tests. The fact Craig's certification had lapsed was also an issue when he served as police chief in Cincinnati.
"Michiganders — many of whom are required to meet regular certification standards in their own professions — deserve answers from Craig on why he felt he was above the requirements completed by every other officer within both Detroit and Cincinnati's police departments," said Rodericka Applewhaite, a spokeswoman for the Michigan Democratic Party.
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