Jeff Rambo
29 November 2001, 14:49
I posted the initial article a few months back, here's an update:
O'Neal taking Sheriff's Department classes
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES -- Sheriff Shaq?
The towering center for the Los Angeles Lakers has lofty law enforcement aspirations and has even started taking special classes to be part of a police reserve force that patrols the area's ports.
"I just have a love for policemen because they've always been the real heroes in my life," Shaquille O'Neal told the Los Angeles Daily News in a recent interview. "I would like to have a leadership role."
When he's not throwing down dunks or muscling for position on the court, O'Neal is attending classes offered by the county's Sheriff's Department for harbor patrol duty. The classes, taught by volunteer reserves, began in September and ends in February.
O'Neal, 29, even has a custom-fitted uniform and size 22EEE boots. Law enforcement officials know they have a potential recruiting spokesman in the charismatic NBA superstar but say O'Neal has not asked for any special privileges.
"It's great, it's wonderful, it's a boon to law enforcement, to the port police and to the county of Los Angeles," said sheriff's Capt. Garry Leonard, leader of the Reserve Forces Bureau charged with training Shaq.
Law enforcement agencies have been smitten with O'Neal. Oxnard police offered to buy him a custom Lincoln Navigator if he would wear their uniform. And, the Orange County (Fla.) Sheriff's Department in Orlando has made O'Neal an honorary deputy.
Most departments agree they would love to have O'Neal on their force.
"He would definitely make an imposing officer," said Orange County (Fla.) Sheriff's spokesman Jim Solomons. "I'd love to see Shaq be the first through the door on a drug warrant."
O'Neal will have to find time between practices and games to find time for police work. Reserve officers commit about 20 hours a month.
His ultimate goal is to be a sheriff, possibly in Florida, where he has a home or Louisiana, where he graduated from Louisiana State University. He said he would not run for sheriff in Los Angeles "because you never bite the hand that feeds you. Noel Cunningham and Sheriff Lee Baca gave me this opportunity.
"My goal is to eventually run for sheriff. But in the role of sheriff you really don't need police experience because it's like a political position. However, if I'm going to do it and be with the troops, and get respect from the troops, I want to do what the troops have done."
O'Neal taking Sheriff's Department classes
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES -- Sheriff Shaq?
The towering center for the Los Angeles Lakers has lofty law enforcement aspirations and has even started taking special classes to be part of a police reserve force that patrols the area's ports.
"I just have a love for policemen because they've always been the real heroes in my life," Shaquille O'Neal told the Los Angeles Daily News in a recent interview. "I would like to have a leadership role."
When he's not throwing down dunks or muscling for position on the court, O'Neal is attending classes offered by the county's Sheriff's Department for harbor patrol duty. The classes, taught by volunteer reserves, began in September and ends in February.
O'Neal, 29, even has a custom-fitted uniform and size 22EEE boots. Law enforcement officials know they have a potential recruiting spokesman in the charismatic NBA superstar but say O'Neal has not asked for any special privileges.
"It's great, it's wonderful, it's a boon to law enforcement, to the port police and to the county of Los Angeles," said sheriff's Capt. Garry Leonard, leader of the Reserve Forces Bureau charged with training Shaq.
Law enforcement agencies have been smitten with O'Neal. Oxnard police offered to buy him a custom Lincoln Navigator if he would wear their uniform. And, the Orange County (Fla.) Sheriff's Department in Orlando has made O'Neal an honorary deputy.
Most departments agree they would love to have O'Neal on their force.
"He would definitely make an imposing officer," said Orange County (Fla.) Sheriff's spokesman Jim Solomons. "I'd love to see Shaq be the first through the door on a drug warrant."
O'Neal will have to find time between practices and games to find time for police work. Reserve officers commit about 20 hours a month.
His ultimate goal is to be a sheriff, possibly in Florida, where he has a home or Louisiana, where he graduated from Louisiana State University. He said he would not run for sheriff in Los Angeles "because you never bite the hand that feeds you. Noel Cunningham and Sheriff Lee Baca gave me this opportunity.
"My goal is to eventually run for sheriff. But in the role of sheriff you really don't need police experience because it's like a political position. However, if I'm going to do it and be with the troops, and get respect from the troops, I want to do what the troops have done."