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CDP Hires Diversity And Inclusion Officer

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A Muslim Columbus police officer has been tapped to bridge gaps between law enforcement and the city's growing immigrant population. 

Egyptian-born Khaled Bahgat is the police division's New American Diversity and Inclusion Officer. Bahgat says police don't always understand immigrant culture and immigrants don't always understand officers. But he says everyone shares a goal of safe neighborhoods. Other officers around the country have been appointed to achieve similar goals. Bahgat has begun his job working with Somali and Bhutanese-Nepali refugees. He joins Columbus officers with outreach responsibilities to the black and gay communities. Police Chief Kim Jacobs says her goal in appointing Bahgat is breaking down communication barriers preventing police from hearing from everyone in the city.

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