There’s a new police chief in town
Jamiel Altaheri
By Charles Sercombe
This coming Monday (May 13) will be a historic day in Hamtramck.
That’s when the city’s first Yemeni-American will be sworn in as the city’s new police chief.
Over a month ago, the council appointed Jamiel Altaheri as the next police chief after a short search was conducted.
He replaces former Chief Anne Moise who retired several months ago.
Altaheri recently retired from the New York Police Department where he served as chief inspector.
Altaheri immigrated to this country when he was 4 years old, and was inspired to become a police officer following 9/11, saying:
“I always saw myself as an American and I believe there is no conflict between that and being a Yemeni-American and a Muslim.”
“I wanted to protect my country and to lead a campaign to help face the challenges that Muslims face. My presence in the NYPD was needed at the time. Many felt they were being targeted for their race and religion.”
The ceremony starts at noon in Zussman Park, weather-permitting, and it will also include the swearing in of officers Jameria Clark and Eida Hussain.
2 Responses to There’s a new police chief in town
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Mark M. Koroi
May 11, 2024 at 1:36 pm
This will be a historic event.
The delay in actually having Mr. Altaheri assume office was him obtaining certain specific certifications from the State of Michigan that are prerequisites to becoming a law enforcement officer here. It appears now he has met those requirements – which had not applicable to his new York employment. Andy Mileski as deputy chief has been the acting chief up to now.
Maxwell Garbarino at the age of 31, was the youngest police chief in City of Hamtramck history and Anne Moise was the first female chief of police. Mr. Altaheri is yet another superlative as the first Arab-American to assume to the position of chief of police in this jurisdiction.
Some have seen this appointment as an attempt to bridge the police and minority communities and ameliorate relations and resolving areas of tension. The recent conviction and sentencing of retired HPD Cpl. Michael Stout was another step seen by the community that their concerns were being addressed. We thank the U.S. Department of Justice for its work in bringing the investigation of Stout to a successful conclusion and note improvement in city government-community relations in recent memory.
Mohammad
May 14, 2024 at 7:29 pm
a new man. a man of prestige and honor. a dignified man. an honorable man. a man who will usher in a new era for hamtramck. he and the mayor and the council are the bright faces of our city. not the doom and gloom of the past. it is time to recognize that this city is truly a stone’s throw away from utopia. i hereby say let us welcome this man and what he represents and what he believes into the stationary mindsets of those who oppose him.
thank you