Law enforcement veteran Jamiel Altaheri served for more than 20 years in various capacities, including as an interpreter in money laundering cases, deputy inspector in the New York Police Department (NYPD), and most recently as the chief of police of the city of Hamtramck, Michigan. In all these roles, Jamiel Altaheri endeavored to build positive relations between the community and law enforcement, especially in policing, promoting diversity, and public safety. In his work he primarily focused on internal investigations, organized crime, and community policing.
Mr. Altaheri’s zeal for active community engagement, coupled with effective policing, is reflected through the organizations he helped establish and his active participation in various community programs during his tenure. As the commanding officer in the Office of Equity and Inclusion in the NYPD, he co-founded the NYPD Muslim Officers Society and the Yemeni American Law Enforcement Officers Association, providing an avenue for inclusion and networking for Muslims in law enforcement in the New York City region. Within the same department as an executive officer, he also made significant contributions to the development of the Traffic Safety Program and the Domestic Violence Unit.
When he moved to the City of Hamtramck as the first Arab-American chief of police in the city in 2024, Jamiel Altaheri launched the first Youth & Citizens Police Academy, where youth and law enforcement professionals engage in education, career, and community development initiatives through mentoring and networking. He also sought out and implemented programs to foster positive community engagement in the area, especially between his team and the large immigrant population, by working with local Muslim community leaders.