Shaquille O'Neal: Cop.
Shaquille O’Neal isn’t your average superstar professional athlete.
He doesn’t get in trouble. He’s not vulgar and get this!, wants to join law enforcement upon his retirement!
Not many millionaires have such to-do lists, let alone young Black ones.
Shaq is a larger-than-life representative for Black men who aren’t cop haters nor thugs gone wild.
He’s invaluably contributed to closing the Black male/police divide by becoming a reserve officer with various agencies, even being made an honorary US marshal ( SEE BELOW ).
Such stellar citizenship is what we need: more Black boys and men involved in public safety as soldiers- not suspects!
Shaquille O’Neal is a quiet revolutionary in the positive sense: radically redefining what it means to be a celebrity; athlete and police volunteer.
His law enforcement participation stands in bold relief to numerous anti-social messages from most urban entertainers and today’s headlines.
We need more brothers and citizens like Shaq and less thugs- PERIOD!
Shaq’s Law Enforcement Efforts ( From Wikipedia ):
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 CountySheriff‘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.[141]
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.[142] 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.[142] O’Neal’s actions resulted in the arrest of two suspects on charges of aggravated battery, assault, and a hate crime.[143]
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.[142] 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.[142] O’Neal’s actions resulted in the arrest of two suspects on charges of aggravated battery, assault, and a hate crime.[143]
NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT BLACK has promotes creative crime prevention. He’s also the founder of Good Citizens Supporting Good Cops and various police appreciation efforts.
(504) 214-3082
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(504) 214-3082
[email protected]
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