US city appoints first Muslim police chief

The city of Dearborn in the U.S. state of Detroit has appointed Issa Shahin as police chief. The city’s Mayor-elect, Abdullah Hammoud made the announcement in a statement recently. US lawmakers approves bill to combat anti-Muslim bias Black Muslim woman elected as mayor in majority white US city Shahin will be the first Muslim to […]

The city of Dearborn in the U.S. state of Detroit has appointed Issa Shahin as police chief.

The city’s Mayor-elect, Abdullah Hammoud made the announcement in a statement recently.

• US lawmakers approves bill to combat anti-Muslim bias
• Black Muslim woman elected as mayor in majority white US city

Shahin will be the first Muslim to head Dearborn’s police department.

His appointment takes effect January 1, 2022, the statement added.

Shahin, a 23-year veteran of the police department, is currently the commanding officer of the investigative division.

Hammoud, a state lawmaker, will be Dearborn’s first Muslim and Arab American mayor. In November, voters also elected Muslim mayors in Hamtramck and Dearborn Heights.

“Commander Shahin is the senior most executive commander with a strong track record and good rapport within the department,” Hammoud said in a statement. “He’s committed to building a trusting relationship with residents and delivering equitable policing in a way to best meet today’s demands in community policing.”

He added, “I am confident he will deliver the transparency and accountability residents expect while positioning our police officers for success.”

Shahin has a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in homeland security and emergency management from Eastern Michigan University.

He is a member of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee and the Islamic Society of North America. (Detroit Metro Times)