EDMONTON – A Muslim woman has become the first Somali-Canadian recruit to graduate from the Edmonton Police Service academy and officially join police ranks.

“We’ve been saying that we want to see representatives of our community be part of the Edmonton police,” advocate Ahmed Abdulkadi, with the Ogaden Somali Community of Alberta, told CBC News.

“This is one step forward and this will heal a lot of wounds.”

Const. Amal Abdi, 28, was among 30 new officers celebrated during a ceremony at city hall.

While Abdi shied away from attention, her friends and classmates celebrated her graduation, saying she worked hard to deserve this success.

“The diversity of experience that she brings will automatically make a difference,” her friend Radwan Mohamed said.

Abdi was born in the Somali capital of Mogadishu and lived in a few other cities around the world before settling about 10 years ago in Edmonton where she has become a well-known volunteer.

“The police force couldn’t ask for somebody better,” Mohamed said.

Abdi’s new position is expected to soften relations between the Somali community and Edmonton police after deaths of several young men in the community.

The 30 newest EPS officers are pictured Thursday at city hall during their graduation from the police academy. (Roberta Bell/CBC)

While many accused the police of not caring or doing enough to stop the killings, officers fired back saying the community was closed and refused to help investigators.

The situation changed after the Somali community and other marginalized communities in Edmonton began working with police to improve public safety since early in 2016.

Abdulkadir says hiring officers like Abdi will help improve relationships.

“This will go a long way,” he said.

Chief Rod Knecht welcomed Abdi, adding that there has been more diversity among the recruits graduating from the police academy.

“We’re getting that balance that is very reflective of the community we serve,” he said.

“We’re learning more. We’re understanding more. We’re listening more.”

While there are other Somali-Canadian police officers in the country, to the knowledge of the Edmonton Police Service, Abdi is the first woman.

For many Muslims, she has become a role model, especially for girls.

“It can show that the sky’s the limit,” Abdulkadir said.