Gus Johnson, interviewing Craig, had noted growing popular concern that police militarization was, in his words, "going overboard" (in fact recent polls suggest that a majority of the US population opposed such militarization outright). Nevertheless, Craig was dismissive of the public's not inconsiderable misgivings, insisting that the Detroit Police Department had been using "military-type equipment" "for the sole purpose of ensuring safe outcomes"–both for "officers" as well as for "the community"– the latter defined, naturally, apart from the population targeted by police violence. He distinguished what he called "police tactics" from militarization–denying the existence of the latter in Detroit. Craig then went on to gush over his "love" of helicopters. While the chief did point out that, in "our present financial state", such equipment was "costly", and that the Detroit Police were "exploring a low-cost alternative... as a effective as a helicopter" (bystanders suggested drones), he was unclear as to what degree the "low-cost alternatives" would go on to vie for his professed love of "effective tools for public safety" prior to the said budgetary considerations.
The fall remarks may be found here.
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