MIAMI - He's Shaquille O'Neal, basketball star and undercover officer.
The 7-foot-1, 325-pound Miami Heat center, who has a fascination with law enforcement, was recently sworn in as a U.S. deputy marshal. He spent six hours on a Saturday afternoon with Miami Beach police investigators helping with cases.
O'Neal has joined a Department of Justice task force that tracks down sexual predators who target children on the Internet.
He is becoming familiar with the techniques and software that officers use to track down the predators, said Miami Beach Police Chief Don De Lucca. And he spends countless hours on his home computer, logging into the police network and learning the ropes.
"I put a lot into it, and when I am done playing, I plan on going undercover and then being the sheriff or chief of police somewhere, either Miami or Orlando, I don't know yet," O'Neal said recently.
After being traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to Miami, O'Neal contacted Miami Beach police about becoming a reserve officer. He drops by the department regularly for one-on-one instruction, speaks to De Lucca at least once a week, and is a few training hours shy of being certified to make arrests, conduct search warrants and carry a .40-caliber pistol.
"Everyone knows the love I have for the people who defend the streets and the people who defend our country, the armed forces, the Army, Navy, Marines. I want to do something like that, help the community," O'Neal said. "I want to really learn the business."
O'Neal has been interested in law enforcement since he was a teen. He was raised by a stepfather who was an Army sergeant. Two of his uncles worked in law enforcement.
While playing for the Lakers, he went through the police academy and became a reserve officer with the Los Angeles Port Police.
During the 2000 offseason, he rode along with the Orange County Sheriff's Office in Florida. They recovered three stolen cars and made a handful of arrests.
"Shaq's interest in police work is very real," De Lucca said. "He'd be a great undercover guy.
"Obviously, we're not going to send him out to buy dope, but he can do surveillance, he can do Internet crimes. He has an incredible thirst for information, he's street-smart, and he's a communicator and leader. I just hope it's not my job he comes after, or I'm in trouble."
― Gear! (can Jung shill it, Mu?) (Gear!), Thursday, 26 May 2005 23:36 (twenty-one years ago)
July 25, 2001
Mr. Shaquille O’Neal, Center
Los Angeles Lakers
Staples Center
Los Angeles, CA 90001
Dear Mr. O’Neal:
I learned recently that you are interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement at the end of your playing days with the Los Angeles Lakers. I would like to extend an invitation to you to come to Oxnard and see what we have to offer with respect to a position with our police department. Our department has a lot to offer someone like you who is interested in police work as a second career.
I know you would enjoy working on California’s Gold Coast with our perfect climate, clean air, and miles of beaches all while staying in close proximity to the Los Angeles area. Our four-day work week could allow you to pursue other interests such as furthering your acting career and taping those Taco Bell ads. We’d be happy to special order your uniform and police equipment to ensure the right fit for you. Further, with your affinity toward Lincoln Navigators we plan to special order one with extra legroom and a moon-roof over the driver’s side that should serve nicely as your patrol vehicle.
Besides patrol assignments we have several other units you may be interested in working. Our K-9 Unit is one of the best in the state, the SWAT team is a popular assignment, and there are plenty of great detective positions. It may prove a little difficult to have you work undercover but I’m sure we can find lots of things for you to that would put your extensive talents to work.
I’ve included an Oxnard Police Department application for your review. Take your time filling it out as we have three years until your start date. I fully realize you have some important basketball business to take care of in the meantime. Please don’t let us distract you from winning three more straight NBA titles.
I would however like to personally invite you to come to Oxnard and participate in a ride-a-long. Experiencing first hand all that Oxnard has to offer will certainly provide the incentive for you to consider us for your law enforcement career choice. In all seriousness we would love to talk to you about your interest in a career here in Oxnard. I look forward to hearing from you very soon.
Sincerely,
Art Lopez
Chief of Police
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Shaq may trade ball for badge; Oxnard is ready
By T. J. Sullivan, Staff writer
Copyright © 2001 Ventura County Star. Reprinted with permission.
July 27, 2001
Change in Uniform?
At the age of 29, Los Angeles Laker Shaquille O'Neal has publicly pondered the possibility of police work, and Oxnard Police Chief Art Lopez has wasted no time suggesting that when Shaq quits dunking basketballs, there will be a place to dunk doughnuts in Oxnard.
Although he is on vacation, Lopez fired off a letter Wednesday on city-of-Oxnard stationery to "Mr. O'Neal," painting the Oxnard Police Department as a kind of Shaq-ri-La, complete with a four-day workweek, and the promise of a Lincoln Navigator police cruiser, custom-made, of course, with a "moon-roof over the driver's side" and extra leg room.
"Our department has a lot to offer someone like you who is interested in police work as a second career," Lopez wrote.
The chief pledged to special-order a uniform to fit O'Neal's 330-pound, 7-foot-1 frame.
"In all seriousness we would love to talk to you about your interest in a career here in Oxnard," the letter said. An application form was included.
Lopez could not be reached for comment, but Assistant Chief John Crombach said the department decided to make the pitch to Laker No. 34 after hearing a radio report of his law-enforcement leanings.
O'Neal suggested two months ago on cable TV's ESPN that he's seriously considering a career as a cop. He made similar comments in an interview with a San Jose-based publication earlier this year. And he repeated his wish last week while taping an appearance on the cable cooking show "Half Baked."
"Seriously. Don't laugh," he reportedly told Silicon Valley Magazine. "I'm thinking about being a sheriff somewhere."
Sheriff? Whoa, back up Shaq. How about Oxnard police officer?
"I said, you know, somebody is going to get him and we can sit and watch it happen, or do something about it," Crombach said.
So he called Lopez in Tahoe and the Shaq attack was on. But, although the department has done everything short of cry, "Shaq 34, where are you?" there's yet to be a response.
Calls to O'Neal's agent received a less-than-promising response. Halfway through an explanation from a reporter that O'Neal had been offered a job by the Oxnard Police Department, an annoyed secretary replied, "Uh hm ... I'm going to have to take a message."
Nonetheless, Crombach said the department is ready whenever Shaq is. There can be little doubt that he'd meet the physical requirements. But considering his performance in the NBA, serious questions would surely have to be raised regarding shooting accuracy from a distance of more than 15 feet.
The move certainly would add dimension to an already varied career as an athlete, rapper and movie star.
As a rap musician, O'Neal titled an album "Shaq Diesel," and produced songs like "Shoot Pass Slam," "(I Know I Got) Skillz" and "I'm Outstanding." A follow-up album was titled "Shaq-Fu: Da Return."
As a cop in Ventura County, who knows what titles might come to mind?
Shaq Hueneme? Shaq Mugu? Shaq Nard?
Or maybe just "Stop or I'll Shaq."
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Police Interested in Officer Shaq
Copyright © 2001 Associated Press
July 27, 2001
OXNARD, Calif. (AP) — Shaquille O'Neal recently expressed an interest in a law enforcement career after basketball. Now he's got an offer that includes a four-day work week, a customized uniform and a sport utility patrol vehicle.
``I would like to extend an invitation to you to come to Oxnard and see what we have to offer with respect to a position with our department,'' Oxnard Police Chief Art Lopez said in a letter dated Wednesday to the 29-year-old Lakers center.
The job comes with a few perks. Lopez said the department would special order his uniform and equipment to ensure the right fit for the 7-foot-1, 315-pounder.
O'Neal also would get his choice of patrol vehicles.
``Further, with your affinity toward Lincoln Navigators, we plan to special order one with extra legroom and a moon-roof over the driver's side that should serve nicely as your patrol vehicle.''
The police chief also offered O'Neal his choice of prime assignments, however, ``it may prove difficult to have you work undercover,'' he wrote.
Although Lopez's letter was in fun, he encouraged the basketball star to visit the city, about 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles, and ride along with an officer.
``In all seriousness, we would love to talk to you about your interest in a career here in Oxnard,'' he said.
While taping a cable cooking show recently, O'Neal said he would be giving up basketball at age 32 and he wanted to join law enforcement.
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Ventura County Star Editorial:
Now playing cop -- that's right, Shaq!
Copyright © 2001 Ventura County Star. Reprinted with permission.
July 30, 2001
JOB OFFER: We doubt that Chief Art Lopez is really serious about this idea -- is he?
One has to give Oxnard Police Chief Art Lopez a little credit: He's not afraid to take a shot at an idea that ranks right up there with his city's interest earlier this year in being the home to an Indian gambling casino.
The casino was a bad idea from the start, one that fortunately was nixed as a result of community outrage.
Now, the chief has taken it upon himself to offer a job in his department to Los Angeles Lakers superstar Shaquille O'Neal, an idea that, at the very least, is downright silly.
All of this developed because of recent comments by the basketball player, who has suggested that someday -- after his playing days are concluded -- he might have an interest in becoming a law enforcement officer.
Well, that's a slam dunk, thought Oxnard's top cop! Why not Oxnard?
In fact, the chief went so far as to offer Mr. O'Neal special "playing privileges," so to speak, including the promise of a Lincoln Navigator "police cruiser, custom-made, with a moon roof over the driver's side" -- certainly an advantage for the 7-foot-1-inch basketball player, should he want to peer out of the top of his vehicle during a chase down Vineyard Avenue.
Whether the chief plans to offer custom vehicles to other members of his force, should Mr. O'Neal take Mr. Lopez up on his offer, isn't clear. But, it's a thought the other officers might consider.
There is a positive point to Mr. O'Neal's suggestion that he might someday have a future in law enforcement. Certainly someone of his stature -- not to mention his size -- would serve as a superstar role model for youngsters who might otherwise be tempted to drift to the wrong side of the law.
But on the let's-get-serious side of this situation, we doubt Mr. Lopez's idea will go much further than another idea the Oxnard Police Department had a few years ago -- to sell advertising space on the sides of its police vehicles.
Hey, maybe that wasn't such a bad idea after all, particularly if Mr. O'Neal comes to play -- oops, make that work -- in Oxnard.
What better way to promote Mr. O'Neal's appearance on the job than an advertising banner on the side of his Lincoln Navigator?
― Community Cornerstone (deangulberry), Friday, 27 May 2005 01:18 (twenty-one years ago)
six months pass...
seventeen years pass...