During a ceremony Friday morning, the Portland Police Department swore in five new officers. One was Zahra Abu.
Pious Ali — who was touted as the first African-born man and first Muslim to be elected to public office in Portland when he was voted onto the school board in 2013 — posted on social media that Abu became the state’s first female Muslim police officer.
“The Portland Police Department certainly strives to have our workforce mirror our community,” Chief Michael Sauschuck, whose city is the most diverse in Maine, told the BDN. “We realize the importance of diversity, and how that builds trust and relationships in the community. But our priority is hiring the very best people we can find. – READ MORE
