YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The Youngstown Police Department made history Thursday with the first promotion of an Arab American and Muslim police officer.

Mohammad Awad, who is entering his seventh year with the department, is going from police officer to detective sergeant.

The department swore him in to his new duties Thursday morning in the City Council chambers.

Awad said his parents moved here from the Middle East in the 60s, so he’s a first generation Arab American.

Being born and raised in Youngstown he said he chose to be a police officer so he could serve his community.

“I wanted to wake up every morning knowing I did something good for the people,” he said. “And I feel good about my job, my career and feel good about getting a promotion.”