A Dearborn Muslim police officer has been named “Police Officer of the Year” for showing outstanding zeal and leadership in his duty.
Cpl. Ali Hamka received the Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM) honor on May 26 along with Lt. Jason Skoczylas.
“The Police Officers Association of Michigan celebrates and awards officers who show outstanding leadership and zeal in their duty each year,” a release from POAM said, Press & Guide reported.
“For fearlessly putting their lives on the line to protect the community they serve.”
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Cpl. Hamka received the honor for his actions during a fire at the Al-Huda Islamic Association last February.
The ceremony was attended by Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin, members of the Police Department’s command staff and fellow officers.
“It is a true honor to have attended the POAM convention, and to see two of our own recognized in front of their peers in law enforcement from across the state of Michigan,” Shahin said.
“Lt. Skoczylas and Cpl. Hamka represent all that is great about the Dearborn Police Department, and I am so proud of both officers and their selfless actions with the Al-Huda Mosque incident response”
Cmdr. Shahin took the leadership of Dearborn’s Police department starting from January 1, 2022, making him the first Muslim police chief in the history of Michigan.
Other American Muslims have also taken charge of a commanding position in the police force.
In April 2021, Pakistani-American commander Yasar Bashir was appointed as first Muslim assistant chief of police in the United States.
In July 2020, Captain Adeel Rana was appointed as New York local precinct Commander.