Pittsburgh police seek to improve relationship with Muslims
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh’s police department is pledging to improve communication with the city’s Muslim community following the Thanksgiving Day shooting of a Muslim cab driver.
Chief Cameron McLay made the announcement during a Saturday meeting at Islamic Center of Pittsburgh. He says the Nov. 26 shooting highlighted that his department needs to build trust with the Muslim community.
He says “there was a great deal of speculation” about the crime’s motive and his department’s response.
The driver, a Moroccan immigrant, was shot in the back and is recovering. Anthony Mohamed faces charges including aggravated assault. Online court records don’t list a lawyer for Mohamed.
The crime is being looked at as a hate crime.
McLay says his initiative will include officer training on cultural issues and having a city liaison work with the Islamic center.