Mayor Duggan Expected Next Week to Name Interim Replacement for Chief James White

Chief James White (file photo)

Mayor Mike Duggan is expected to name an interim replacement for Detroit Police Chief James White by the end of next week, his office said.

White, who has been the chief since 2021, has accepted a job as CEO of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network. It's unclear when his last day is as chief.

"James White has been as fine a police chief as any in America," said Duggan in a statement. "He has led the department with professionalism and integrity and helped make Detroit a safer community. I know he’ll take those same talents and dramatically improve mental health services to the people of Wayne County as the CEO of DWIHN.”

As chief, White has always highlighted the need to address mental heath issues in the community. In his short tenure, he managed to avoid any personal scandals unlike some previous chiefs. 

White, who first came to the department in 1996, was confirmed as police chief in September 2021.