HFC alumnus named Officer of the Year by Dearborn Police Department

The Dearborn Police Department recently recognized Corporal Mohamad Farhat, an HFC alumnus, as its 2025 Officer of the Year for his “exceptional professionalism, proactive performance, leadership, and commitment to public safety.”

“Obviously, I am honored and humbled to have been selected,” said Farhat. “It means a lot to me, especially coming from the people I work alongside every day. The job is challenging, but having good people around you makes all the difference. Without the support of the DPD, Chief Issa Shahin, the Command Staff, and my family, I wouldn’t be here. I am proud to have become a police officer in the community I grew up in.”

The DPD names its Officer of the Year toward the end of summer of the year after performance evaluations are completed and Dearborn’s Homecoming is over.

“Corporal Farhat represents the very best of the Dearborn Police Department. His work ethic, professionalism, and willingness to go above and beyond are evident every day. But what truly stands out is his commitment to the community he serves. Mohamad understands Dearborn because this is his home, and he has built meaningful relationships with our residents through trust, respect, and service. We are extremely proud to recognize him as our 2025 Officer of the Year,” said Shahin.

HFC helped him find his path

The third of four children, Farhat was born in Lebanon. He immigrated with his family to the United States in 2001 when he was a teenager, settling in Dearborn. When he came to the U.S., Farhat didn’t speak English. It took him two years to become comfortable speaking the language. But he did not let that stop him from pursuing an education.

Farhat, who is fluent in Arabic and proficient in French, is a graduate of Fordson High School. He earned his associate degree in criminal justice from HFC (then Henry Ford Community College) and transferred to Madonna University through a 3+1 program, which allowed him to complete three years at HFC and transfer to a partner university for his final year. At Madonna, he earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He later completed the police academy through Oakland Community College in Auburn Hills.

“There’s a lot of opportunity for second chances at HFC,” he said. “The academic part is challenging, and there is a lot of help available if you need it. The atmosphere is comfortable. I learned a lot, and it put me on the right track. It really helped me find direction. I also became very organized when I attended HFC. It served as a stepping stone and put me on the track to get me where I am today.”

Since 2010, Farhat has been married to Malak Hinnawi. The couple has two daughters, ages 14 and 11.

“In our culture, we like to stay among family. My family is in Dearborn, so I stayed close,” he said. “A lot of friends and family had plenty of good things to say about HFC.”

Giving back to the community that gave him so much

Farhat joined the DPD in 2016. He serves in the Neighborhood Police Unit.

“Becoming a police officer was about giving back to the community that gave me so much, especially after I first came to the U.S. The community gave me opportunities for better work and better education, and protected me. I want to make this a better, safer place for everyone. I enjoy helping people in difficult moments and making a difference in their lives,” he said.

Farhat has also served as an interpreter for members of the Dearborn community where there’s a language barrier.

“There are a lot of community members who don’t speak English. If they have a problem or a concern, they need to communicate the right message. If it’s hard to explain what the issue is in English, they’ll tell me in Arabic, and I’ll relay the correct message to them, which has helped defuse many situations,” he explained.

Farhat can see himself moving up in the DPD. In early 2027, he will take the sergeant’s exam.

“I’m able to interact with the community and make a difference,” he said. “Whether I’m a supervisor or I’m in the field, I want to be able to help anyone who’s in need.”