Law Enforcement Technology

FEB 2014

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22 Law Enforcement Technology February 2014 www.officer.com COVER PROFILE ity in this department for years. These are some of the issues that I would like to bring to the light and resolve. LET: What are your priorities regarding criminal activity? Craig: Obviously all criminal activity is a top priority. We need to become more open with citizens, so they will become more open with us. We need to place a priority on going out into neighbor- hoods and communicating with the community. We need citizens to speak up when crime is happening. We need to eliminate this "no snitching" culture and get the community involved. When we can do that, we can close in on crime from all angles. We have been working hard to show the community that we are taking back the streets of Detroit, not just for them, but with them. I think that they have seen the change in their new police department and they are beginning to open up. They want more, they want to have a say and they want to help. I think they are excited to see a police depart- ment fighting with them. LET: Are you hiring? Craig: Hiring in the department is moving forward. We have an academy class graduating…[and] a class of new recruits just [recently] started. Obviously it may be a little harder attracting viable candidates due to the condition of the city's financial situ- ation, but that will not deter us from finding only the absolute best candi- dates to serve on the force. LET: Where will the department be in five years? Craig: There is no doubt in my mind that we will be the blueprint for every metropolitan police department across America. I believe that everything we are doing will send a strong message to the criminal element everywhere—that their time has passed, that if you want to continue your wrongdoings then you will be sought after, you will be found and you will be brought to justice. This is the message from all Detroiters and their Detroit PD. LET: What would you like to be remembered for? Craig: I guess I would like to be remembered as a man who lived every day of his life working hard to make the world a better place than the day before. Many thanks to Chief Craig, as well as to the public information officers for making this interview happen. ■ Keith W. Strandberg is an American freelance writer and award-winning screenwriter/producer of feature films living in Switzerland. As a former contributing editor for LET more than a decade ago, he is happy to return to the magazine. Allowing you to see further and clearer! Day or Night – This Force Multiplier Tool assists offi cers to protect and serve their community with greater effi ciency. Thermal Imaging technology allows detection of criminal otherwise go unseen. Spotlight Mounted and Record-ready, the NOPTIC Spotlight System provides offi cers a There's no place to hide www.noptic.com 1.888.NOPTIC1 activity in-progress that may heightened awareness of their surroundings. Circle 42 on Reader Service Card LET_18-23_ChiefProfile0214.indd 22 1/24/14 12:34 PM

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