James Craig

James Craig

Keynote Speaker: Former Chief of Police for the City of Detroit & GOP Governor Leading Candidate for Michigan

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  • Speaking Fee:
    Live Event Fee: $10,000 - $20,000
    Virtual Event Fee: Below $10,000
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James Craig Biography

James Craig spent 44 years in law enforcement, starting out with the Detroit Police Department in 1977 and after a forced staffing reduction, joined the Los Angeles Police Department in 1981. Spending almost three decades rising through the ranks of the LAPD, Craig was responsible for overseeing many of the most violent areas in Los Angeles and achieved tremendous reductions in crime through implementing innovative strategies and building strong community partnerships.

Craig went on to serve as police chiefs in Portland, Maine, Cincinnati and was appointed as the 42nd Chief of the Detroit Police Department in 2013 during the city’s bankruptcy, the largest municipal bankruptcy filing in U.S. history. He is recognized for propelling the Detroit Police Department into 21st century policing standards and improving the public safety of Michigan’s largest city, which has been a key element in Detroit’s revival.

Throughout his tenure at DPD, Craig launched the Project Green Light, a public-private partnership aimed to reduce crime and the Real Time Crime Center. Craig has also been instrumental in changing the lives of those involved in gang and gun-violence through programs such as Cease Fire Detroit. He also established programs geared toward mentoring and empowering the youth of Detroit, such as The Brotherhood & Sisterhood Programs and Children's In Trauma Intervention Camp, known as C.I.T.I. Camp.

He was a leader of great integrity and accountability, striving to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the residents of Detroit. He designed the Neighborhood Police Officers Program, a very successful community-oriented initiative. Craig was also instrumental in developing the department's first-of-its-kind LGBTQ Liaison unit, an engagement effort that promotes open communication with members of the LGBTQ community throughout Detroit.

He is widely recognized for his leadership during the unrest of Summer 2020, as other cities around the country experienced looting, fires and riots.

Craig retired in 2021 and launched a gubernatorial campaign with a commitment to fix leadership in state government and institute an effective administration that fosters a collaborative environment to drive the vibrancy of the state’s economy and communities. Craig was the front-runner GOP candidate before being removed from the primary election ballot.

Craig has been asked to share his crisis leadership experiences at professional conferences and associations throughout the country including the National Sports Safety and Security Conference and NJ State Association of Chiefs of Police.

Featured twice on the cover of the National Rifle Association (NRA) America’s First Freedom magazine, appearances as a law enforcement expert on national news outlets include CNN, Fox News, Fox Business and Newsmax.

Recipient of the Champion of Change Award from the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM).

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on James Craig and other top speakers and celebrities.

James Craig Speaking Topics

  • Leadership
  • Story Telling
  • Placing issues
  • Mass Shootings
  • Police Officer Misconduct
  • Politics
  • Changing Police Culture
  • Law-abiding citizens

James Craig Videos

Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig to run as write-in candidate
Former Detroit police chief, James Craig, to make first political
Black History Month: Detroit Police Chief James Craig has message

How do I book James Craig to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like James Craig for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for James Craig, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for James Craig or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book James Craig for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for James Craig, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book James Craig are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire James Craig, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does James Craig speak about?

James Craig is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Leadership, Storytelling, Social Activism, Government, Law, Political, Civil Rights and Social Justice.

Where does James Craig travel from?

James Craig generally travels from Detroit, MI, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for James Craig?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like James Craig for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book James Craig for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host James Craig or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


James Craig is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Leadership, Storytelling and Social Activism. The estimated speaking fee range to book James Craig for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. James Craig generally travels from Detroit, MI, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are S. Lee Merritt, Laura Ling and Tania Israel. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling James Craig for an upcoming event.

James Craig Speaking Topics

    • Leadership
    • Story Telling
    • Placing issues
    • Mass Shootings
    • Police Officer Misconduct
    • Politics
    • Changing Police Culture
    • Law-abiding citizens

James Craig Videos

Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig to run as write-in candidate
Former Detroit police chief, James Craig, to make first political
Black History Month: Detroit Police Chief James Craig has message
  • How do I book James Craig to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like James Craig for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for James Craig, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for James Craig or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book James Craig for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for James Craig, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book James Craig are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire James Craig, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does James Craig speak about?

    James Craig is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Leadership, Storytelling, Social Activism, Government, Law, Political, Civil Rights and Social Justice.
  • Where does James Craig travel from?

    James Craig generally travels from Detroit, MI, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for James Craig?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like James Craig for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book James Craig for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host James Craig or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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