Miami Heat's Shaquille O'Neal sworn in as reserve police officer

MIAMI BEACH, FL. — Look out criminals, Officer Shaq is on the beat.

Miami Heat's Shaquille O'Neal was sworn in as a reserve police officer Thursday in a private ceremony.

The seven-foot-one superstar skipped the department's public event earlier in the day to avoid the media attention, opting instead for a quiet, no-frills ceremony.

"Officer O'Neal is very considerate toward the other officers, and he was afraid if he was there he would have taken away from that moment for other officers," department spokesman Robert Hernandez said. "This is a very special time for them and their families."

The former Laker was a reserve officer in Los Angeles before moving to South Florida. He spent the past year training for the Miami Beach police reserve officer position and can now add the $1 a year salary to his $100 million, 5-year contract with the Heat.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/state/content/gen/ap/BKN_Officer_Shaq.html


What a hoot. I bet the criminals will freak out when they see Shaq coming to get them.

He'd be hilarious as an undercover officer, though.

Or did I already see it?

Hell, he already played a genie. :)

He's always wanted to be a cop, and you know he can't be doing it for the money. He's obviously just wants to serve the community. My hats off to him! :thumbsup:

so he definitely not doing it for the money.

It may have even been his Master's. I've always been amused by the guy, but I'm really starting to like him.

I read recently that he witnessed a hit and run in Miami and followed the "perp" for miles with the cops on the phone until the cops had a chance to catch up and make the arrest. Can you imagine trying to outrun Shaq? What would that look like in your rear view mirror? 7'3", 300+ lbs in a custom purple Lambroghini (sp?)? Funny!

He's also worked undercover with a child porn/abuse Internet sting. Much easier for him to go undercover online!