Chief James Craig (Deadline Detroit photo)
Detroit Police James Craig described as "appalling" any suggestion that Detroit could be the next Ferguson, a reference to the explosive trouble in the Missouri community in wake of the shooting of an unarmed teen, Michael Brown.
Niraj Warikoo of the Detroit Free Press writes:
In the wake of unrest in Ferguson, Mo., Detroit’s police chief praised the Detroit Police Department’s community relations efforts and defended its use of paramilitary equipment when facing potentially violent suspects.
The tensions in Ferguson have sparked a debate about what critics say is the growing militarization of local police departments and the insensitivity of some police to residents. Some activists in Detroit have suggested “that Detroit could be the next Ferguson,” said Police Chief James Craig, a notion that he called “appalling.”
“That’s so far from the truth,” Craig said.
Craig said that the Detroit community has been supportive of the department, the Freep reported.
“Our community is standing with us ... applauding the work we’re doing today,” he said.