By Carol McCracken

City Manager Joe Gray has recommended that Captain James Craig be hired as the city’s new Police Chief. Craig will be presented to the city council for confirmation on March 2, 2009. Craig is expected to start his new position on May 4th.

Craig is a twenty-eight year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department. He’s originally from Detroit, Michigan. Craig and his wife and daughter plan to relocate to the Portland area.

As the 18th Police Chief for Portland, Craig will oversee a Police Department comprised of 160 sworn officers and a civilian staff of 53. This announcement marks the end of a six month search for a new Police Chief.