Before anyone comments let's keep this in perspective
We have to remember Shaq comes from a family of police officers and wanted to be one. His step father was in the military. If he wasn't a basketball player he'd be a cop. Whether we agree or not he's coming from a totally different angle.
Shaq becomes reserve police officer in Florida
Law enforcement
O'Neal maintained a high level of interest in the workings of police departments and became personally involved in law enforcement. O'Neal went through the
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Reserve Academy and became a reserve officer with the
Los Angeles Port Police. He appeared in a commercial for
ESPN in
Miami Police garb climbing a tree to rescue
LSU's costumed mascot
Mike the Tiger.[
citation needed]
On March 2, 2005, O'Neal was given an honorary
U.S. Deputy Marshal title and named the spokesman for the Safe Surfin' Foundation; he served an honorary role on the task force of the same name, which tracks down
sexual predators who target children on the Internet.
[168]
Upon his trade to Miami, O'Neal began training to become a
Miami Beach reserve officer. On December 8, 2005, he was sworn in, but elected for a private ceremony to avoid distracting attention from the other officers. He assumed a $1 per year salary in this capacity.
[169]Shortly thereafter, in Miami, O'Neal witnessed a
hate crime (assaulting a man while calling out
homophobic slurs) and called Miami-Dade police, describing the suspect and helping police, over his cell phone, track the offender.
[169] O'Neal's actions resulted in the arrest of two suspects on charges of
aggravated battery, assault, and a
hate crime.
[170]
In September 2006, O'Neal took part in a raid on a home in rural
Bedford County, Virginia. O'Neal had been made an "honorary deputy" by the local sheriff's department. O'Neal is not qualified as a SWAT officer.
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page needed]