On the Job
Meet Sterling Heights’ Chaldean Police Officers
By Cal Abbo
Over the last few decades, Sterling Heights has become the capital of metro Detroit’s Chaldean community. According to data from the 2010s, around 25% of the population in Michigan’s fourth largest city, more than 30,000 people, is Chaldean or Iraqi. Almost certainly, that number is higher now.
In general, the city is known for its diverse population and immigrant communities. The Sterling Heights Police Department (SHPD) is a large part of the city’s success. Over several years, the department has hired a few Chaldean officers so they can connect with and better understand such a large portion of their community. Here are vignettes of six Chaldean police officers that work with the SHPD.
Police Officer Danny Delly
Delly was born in Michigan, and his parents made sure to teach him and his siblings both English and Sureth. He’s wanted to work with the police since he was around five years old. One of his neighbors was an officer for Madison Heights and inspired him from a young age. The same neighbor pinned his badge at his police academy graduation ceremony.
After graduating high school in 2016, Delly obtained his associate degree in criminal justice from Macomb Community College. He graduated from the Macomb police academy in 2019 and worked as an officer in Dearborn Heights for five years until coming to Sterling Heights, where he heard great things about the department and the opportunities available. “Protecting and serving in the community that I grew up in means a lot to me,” he said.
Delly enjoys solving crimes, helping people on their worst day, and protecting others from criminals. He plans to become a part of the Crime Suppression Unit as well as Traffic. Eventually, he wants to become a road Sergeant and then a Lieutenant.
Sergeant-Training Coordinator Jassin Hakim
Hakim was born in Grosse Pointe Farms. He grew up watching the TV show “CHiPs”, a crime drama series that follows the lives of two motorcycle officers in the California Highway Patrol. He admired the two main characters, Ponch and John, for their dedication to helping others and apprehending criminals. “My admiration for their work left me with a clear conviction that I would pursue a career as a police officer when I grew up,” he said.
Two mentors helped Hakim along the way. His father taught him to value kindness and generosity while his Uncle Bassam, a former member of the military who became a police officer, guided him through his own journey and mentored him during his career.
Hakim started out as a military policeman, which gave him the skills required for his later career in law enforcement. He grew up in Sterling Heights and loves that he can serve and protect the community he calls home. Hakim plans to advance further within the department and in his career as an officer. Eventually he wants to play a role in shaping the direction of the SHPD.
“I love helping people, whether it’s aiding an elderly individual or offering support to a victim of a crime,” he said. “One of the challenges of being an officer, however, is bearing witness to the darker aspects of humanity.”
Police Officer Esho Matty
Matty was born in Iraq, went to Turkey in 2010, and came to Michigan two years later. His parents did not speak English, and now Matty is trilingual, speaking Arabic, Chaldean, and English.
He’s always wanted to become a police officer because he enjoys helping people, especially those who feel helpless. Matty graduated from high school in 2016 and worked full-time at Penn Station making sandwiches. He received his associate’s degree from Macomb Community College in 2019 and finished the police academy the next year.
After policing for three years in Grosse Pointe Park, Matty joined the SHPD at the end of last year because he heard great things about it and saw how many different departments he could join. Finally, he was policing the city in which he grew up.
In the future, Matty wants to be a part of the narcotics bureau and promoted to Sergeant.
Sergeant of the Directed Patrol Unit Lamar Kashat
Kashat was born in Royal Oak and grew up in Saginaw. His parents immigrated to the U.S. in the 1970s. He grew up surrounded by police officers, witnessing their professionalism and how they always helped others. Their dedication, integrity, and commitment to the community inspired him to pursue a career in law enforcement.
In addition, Kashat noticed Chaldeans were underrepresented in law enforcement and wanted to change that. As he grew up, he watched his parents build a business from the ground up. “Seeing their determination, resilience, and unwavering dedication taught me invaluable lessons about hard work, perseverance, and the rewards of turning dreams into reality,” Kashat said.
Kashat attended Delta Community College and later earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Saginaw Valley State University. In 2007, he graduated from the police academy, fulfilling his dream.
After his family and friends encouraged him to apply to the SHPD, Kashat looked into it and liked what he saw. “I’ve long aspired to join a forward-thinking agency that offered opportunities for advancement,” he said. “Moreover, the department’s diverse range of law enforcement areas presented an enticing opportunity for professional growth and development.”
Kashat enjoys helping and serving the community as part of being a police officer. He loves the camaraderie he has with his fellow officers and the fact that his days are never boring and are never the same.
He likes all the roles he gets to play as an officer, including mentor, counselor, and advisor. In the future, Kashat aims to develop the units he’s involved in and cultivate the future leaders of our agency. “I’m committed to advancing our agency’s progress and maintaining its forward momentum,” he said. “My ultimate goal is to eventually lead this police agency.”
Police Officer Natan Bittou
Bittou was born in Baghdad and came to the United States in 2007. When he left his hometown, he was worried he would never get to experience his culture to the same extent ever again. “I was wrong,” he said. “I lived in Sterling Heights as soon as I arrived and felt like I was home again. I learned that our Chaldean culture will always adapt and remain strong no matter where we’re located.”
Bittou’s family has an extensive military background which informed his decision to become a police officer. He attended Macomb Community College and Madonna University while working a full-time job. Just as well, for Bittou, the police academy was physically and mentally challenging, but he never considered another path.
“I always wanted to join the SHPD since I was in college because I grew up in Sterling Heights,” he said. “I went to school here and my entire family lives in the city. SHPD is known to be the best department in the State of Michigan and I am honored to be a part of it.”
To fulfill his role as a police officer, Bittou tries to involve himself in the community by attending events and conducting follow ups after his police calls. He’s highly proactive during his shifts and frequently makes arrests. In the future, Bittou wants to be promoted and serve in a special unit in the SHPD.
Detective Edwar Talia
Talia was born in Baghdad and immigrated to America with his family in 1995. His main contact was his aunt, who sponsored his family. “I saw my aunt had a few businesses that were thriving, and her family was doing great,” he said. “One of her sons told me that you can achieve anything in America as long as you are driven, motivated, and determined to succeed no matter the obstacles.”
When he lived in Iraq, Talia’s grandmother took him to church every Sunday. On the way home, they would stop by the local police department behind her house. These interactions had a huge influence on Talia and helped him decide to become a police officer later in life.
Talia started college hoping to become an architect, but he changed his mind after concluding it would be a boring career. He obtained an associate degree and then attended the police academy. “It was difficult to get a job as a police officer in 2013, but I landed a part time position with the Highland Park Police Department in 2015.”
After a while, Talia’s goal became to work for SHPD. He wondered what made the department the best in the state, and eventually found his answer. The SHPD offers growth and development, different bureaus and units, and citizens love the police department.
Talia also loves helping and protecting people. His favorite experience on the job occurred when he was training Officer Natan Bittou. “We were dispatched to an address that we had been to earlier in the day on a family dispute,” he said. “We looked through the windows and saw someone lying on the couch unresponsive. We entered the house, began CPR, and ultimately saved her life.”
In the future, Talia wants to get promoted to Sergeant, then Lieutenant, and finally Captain.