Throughout February, Police Chief Virgil Green is sharing stories of African Americans who were trailblazers and broke barriers in the United States and Minnesota. The last post featured Mayor Roslyn Harmon, the City’s first Black mayor. This week’s spotlight is on Officer Mohamed Mohamed, who in 2024 became the first Somali police officer to complete the GVPD’s Field Training Program (FTO).
“My family had to flee Somalia due to the civil war,” says Mohamed. “We moved to different countries to survive. I can only imagine the difficulties my parents faced to keep us safe and provide us with food and shelter.”
“This biography is about me, but I want to express gratitude to my mother for her sacrifices and working tirelessly to shape me into the person I am today. Everything I achieve is to honor her, and she will always hold a special place in my heart.”
As a child, Mohamed’s family sought safety in Egypt, where he enrolled in middle school and completed his education through high school. He said he had plans to attend college when the United Nations offered his family an opportunity to move to the United States for a better life.
In May 2002, Mohamed and his family arrived in Hopkins, Minnesota. He enrolled in Hopkins High School and worked at Cub Foods, the Bureau of Collection Recovery Companies, and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum while attending school. The balance between school and multiple jobs was challenging, but he was determined to help support his family. He eventually left two of his jobs and focused on his education.
After graduating high school, Mohamed earned an associate degree in law enforcement from North Hennepin Community College in 2012. He later earned a certificate from the skills program and continues his studies at Metropolitan State University, where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in Llaw enforcement.
In 2014, Mohamed was hired as a full-time police officer with Mankato Public Safety. He later moved back to the Twin Cities and worked for the St Louis Park Police Department before resigning to join the Federal Reserve Law Enforcement.
Currently a resident of Woodbury, Minnesota, Mohamed says “besides my job, I enjoy the joys and challenges of raising my three children.”