DETROIT, MI - An official search for Detroit's next police chief has not yet commenced; but it appears an unofficial one has.

Cincinnati

, a 56-year-old Detroit native, tells MLive he received a call from a recruiter on behalf of Detroit three months ago asking if he would consider the post.

The Detroit Police Commission is weeks away from presenting a contract to City Council to hire two search firms, Troy-based Empco, which is to handle the initial interviews; and Detroit-based T.J. Adams Staffing Services, which will perform a more in-depth screening,

Warfield

the position isn't even posted yet.

He did not respond to messages left by MLive requesting comment on the status of the police chief search.

The cost of performing the chief search is projected to exceed $60,000.

Craig said he told the recruiter he would consider the opportunity, but he doesn't recall if the recruiter said they were calling on behalf of City Hall or the Detroit Police Commission.

The chief declined to say if the caller represented either Empco or T.J. Adams Staffing Services.

"They called me in my office here and that's how it happened," Craig said. "At this point I think it would be inappropriate" to identify who I spoke with. "I don't really know what's going on."

throughout Cincinnati last week after Craig said he was asked if he'd been approached about the Detroit opening. He admitted he had been.

Craig's career â and life â began in Detroit. He worked for the Detroit Police Department from about 1977 to 1980 before being laid off along with 1,500 officers, he said, and moving to Los Angeles.

For the next 28 years Craig worked his way up the ranks of the Los Angeles Police Department to a command position and in 2009 accepted a police chief role in Portland, Maine.

In 2010, Craig applied to become Detroit's police chief and made it to a private interview with then-Deputy Mayor Saul Green before losing the job to Ralph Godbee Jr. Craig became the Cincinnati police chief in 2011.

Chester Logan was named Detroit's interim police chief in October when Godbee retired amid a sex scandal with a subordinate officer.

Craig, a Cass Technical High School graduate, said he makes trips to Detroit as frequently as his job allows to visit his parents and siblings, but said returning to his roots in the Motor City full-time has its appeal.

"Detroit is a city that I without a doubt believe in," said Craig. "And I know that it's coming back.

"My roosts are in Detroit; I know much of my success is because of that."

The Detroit City Charter requires the Detroit Police Commission to present a short list of chief candidates the the mayor for final selection.

Craig said if he were to become Detroit's next police chief, money would not be the reason. The Detroit police chief job pays up to $140,000. Craig's current salary is about $135,000, he said.

"Detroit is on a comeback and certainly it would be an honor and a privilege to be part of that," said Craig. "Public safety is important and I realize that."