James E. Craig, Police Chief

The POLICE CHIEF is responsible for Police Department operations.  The Chief coordinates, organizes, directs, and controls activities.  The Chief also implements policy and makes necessary personnel and procedural changes to ensure the effective operation of the Department.  The Community Relations Section Executive Manager, the Public Information Office (PIO), the Executive Assistant, and all bureau commanders are directly accountable to the Police Chief.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS SECTION, directed by a civilian Executive Manager, is responsible to the Police Chief for developing and implementing policy as it relates to public safety, police-community relations, and intelligence-led policing.  This section also serves as a liaison to the City Manager and various City Departments involved in developing and implementing activities, events, training, and projects such as the Cincinnati Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV) and the Landlord Education Initiative, that support the City’s commitment to safety and developing, promoting, and cultivating positive police-community relations.

The PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE, supervised by a sergeant, is the Department’s liaison with the media.  This office prepares press releases and facilitates general and internal Police Department communications.  Attending staff and special meetings, reviewing and coordinating written correspondence, and performing other duties as directed by the Police Chief are among the numerous responsibilities the Public Information Office is tasked with.

The EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT is a civilian Administrative Specialist who coordinates Department affairs affecting the Police Chief’s Office.  The Assistant functions as the liaison between the Police Chief, bureau commanders, and other City agencies, attends staff and special meetings, reviews and coordinates written correspondence, and performs other duties as directed by the Police Chief.  The Executive Assistant also serves as the Department’s contact person for the various community and business groups.