NORTHWOOD (AP) — A northern Iowa police officer who lost his new job because of an old conviction still wants to be an officer.

Mohamed Mohamed submitted his resignation last week to officials in Northwood. The Iowa Law Enforcement Academy had notified the city that Mohamed was ineligible because of the conviction.

Mohamed told the Mason City Globe Gazette on Tuesday that he’d been charged with assault a decade ago in Minnesota. He says the charge was reduced to disorderly conduct and he paid a $100 fine. Mohamed says he “never laid hands on anyone.”