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Shaquille O'Neal Becomes Miami Beach Cop

POSTED: Thursday, December 8, 2005

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- The newest police detective on Miami Beach won't be hard to find -- he's 7 feet 1 inch tall, and weighs more than 300 pounds. Miami Heat star Shaquille O'Neal took his official oath Thursday afternoon.

Local 10 was on hand to exclusively cover O'Neal's swearing it at Miami Beach Police Headquarters.

Shaq has completed more than 1,200 hours of training and he attended the police academy in Los Angeles before passing his exam. He said it has been his dream since childhood to be a police officer, but "winning the athletic lottery a couple times" put his dream on hold.

O'Neal said that since he is almost done playing ball, and because he has "been a leader, not a follower and stayed out of trouble," he can pursue his goal of becoming a law enforcement officer.

He will be working be working as an investigator with the child pornography unit.

Shaq is already at the Miami Beach police station at least once a week. His NBA career has made sure his salary isn't a concern, which is good, since right now his pay as a reserve officer is $1.

Previous Stories:

November 4, 2005: Shaq Out 2-4 Weeks With Ankle Injury
November 3, 2005: Second Man Arrested After Tip From Shaquille O'Neal
September 13, 2005: Shaq Attack Leads To Man's Arrest In Miami Beach
April 6, 2005: Shaquille O'Neal Gets Medical Tests
December 1, 2004: Shaq: Bigger Than Life, On Ocean Drive
July 20, 2004: Love Shaq: Miami Welcomes Newest Heat Player

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