Mayor Duggan names James White as his election as permanent Detroit police chief

DETROIT – Mayor Mike Duggan has appointed James White as his selection for the permanent head of the Detroit Police Department.

“I will send my recommendation to Detroit City Council today,” Duggan said.

Duggan’s election has yet to be approved by Detroit City Council when they return from recess. Board members will have 30 days to act. The Detroit Board of Police Commissioners drew up a list of candidates and Duggan said he has interviewed those candidates.

“I interviewed all three,” Duggan said. “I felt good with all three, but I think anyone in this city who’s seen how James White has handled himself in the last two months feels really good about where the Detroit Police Department is going.”

Announcements

There were 44 names that the police commission reduced to nine, Duggan said. After conducting their interviews, they recommended to the mayor three finalists: White, Chief Michael Cox, of Ann Arbor, and Robert Dunlap, the prison administrator.

White is currently the acting head of Detroit police and has held that position since James Craig retired on June 1st.

When White was appointed interim chief, said he would compete for the permanent job and planned to “work harder than anyone” to prove he is the right choice.

“Assuming (Detroit City Council) doesn’t reject it, Chief White will be the permanent chief,” Duggan said.

Announcements

He said White was also the “overwhelming decision” for the board of police commissioners.

White said during his time as interim chief that he has learned even more about the importance of the community to the department.

“While I am here before you today, humiliated and honored by this opportunity, I want you to know sincerely that I will support these officers, but I will demand that there be excellence and a drive towards excellence in policing.”

White spoke about some of the city’s crime improvement statistics, but said he is not satisfied and wants these trends to continue.

Below you can see the full press conference.