It has been quite a year for the Detroit Police Department. Police Chief James Craig and several other officers were infected with COVID-19 and had to be quarantined during the pandemic.
And, the Black Lives Matter protests have put the department to the test over several weeks. Stephen Henderson speaks with the Chief about the things that are going on and the opportunity for change and reform in the future.
Chief Craig:
I just wanted to drop you a note in complete agreement regarding how you and the Detroit police are performing a fantastic job… especially in light of these incredibly perilous times of Covid-19 & the racial injustice issues that are ongoing in most American major cities.
I’m 70 yrs old, white and disabled….I’m highly intelligent and educated with 3 BS degrees as well as a doctorate/PharmD in the practice of clinical Pharmacy…I’ve worked in the Pharmacy profession for almost 40+ yrs and have numerous accomplishments, published articles and have been an active researcher & mentor.
I grew up in Detroit and was a lifeguard at Belle Isle for 8 summers..I grew up off of 6 mile & Conant…I never had problems with black folks…in fact I got along very well with them on the whole.
I’m so sorry to see & witness the degredation that is occurring at all ethnic & political divides as this pandemic along with societies experiencing “the last straw” regarding police brutality and over zealous enforcement issues…it really saddens me…greatly.
I think the DPD and yourself are doing a truly remarkable job in keeping order during this tumultuous time…yet I plainly can see how difficult your job must be with the everpresent “third party” hijacking that’s occurring as malicious others are trying to upstage & ruin the progress and good will that’s being made by their “derailment efforts”… effectively sabotaging the positive gains made by the peaceful protesters as well as your offices & officers.
Why is it that in tumultuous times like these, there is always the overcorrection factors that lead to pendulum swings in favor of anachronism and destruction…I sorely feel your challenges in trying to identify, isolate and bring to justice the destructive element that has no care for establishing peace…but is fully engaged in bringing about injustice and hate.
Kind regards,
Mauro Fiorentino PharmD