Shaq Assists Police in Arrest of Man Accused of Assaulting Gay Couple



Sep 13, 4:36 PM (ET)

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Shaquille O'Neal provided an assist to police over the weekend, trailing a man who allegedly assaulted a gay couple before alerting an arresting officer.
The 7-foot-1 Miami Heat center, who is in the process of becoming a Miami Beach reserve officer, was driving on South Beach around 3 a.m. Sunday. He saw a passenger in a car yell anti-gay slurs at the couple, who were walking, said Bobby Hernandez, a spokesman for the Miami Beach Police Department.

The man then got out of the car and threw a bottle, hitting one of the pedestrians, who was not seriously hurt. The man got back in the car, which sped off. O'Neal followed, flagging down an officer who made an arrest, Hernandez said.

Michael Gonzalez, 18, was arrested on charges of aggravated assault and assault with a deadly weapon. The driver of the car was not charged.

O'Neal, who hopes to be a police chief or county sheriff one day, was already being fitted for his Miami Beach police uniform before he helped the police out.

"For this incident I don't want to be credited as an individual who does police work," O'Neal said in a statement. "I want to be credited as a Miami Beach police officer."

I got this mental image of that black guy in all the "Police Acadamy" movies.

Great. Just what we need.

Quoted: I got this mental image of that black guy in all the "Police Acadamy" movies.

Bubba Smith

Quoted: Great. Just what we need.

Yeah, I hate it when those darned colored people break up a good natured gay bashing and ruin the fun.

Quoted: Great. Just what we need.

Actually, yes, he is.

He's been into police work for quite some time now, and has always had an interest in it. He was a reserve deputy or officer (I forget which) when he lived in CA. The reason he's getting qualified as a Miami Beach officer is that each state has its own officer certification, and not all of them recognize other states' certifications carte blanche.

Sounds like a good bust.  

Throwing bottles at people is a cowardly act.

Good for him.

I doubt I'm the only one who would love to see Shaq chase down a fleeing criminal.

Quoted: Quoted: Great. Just what we need. Yeah, I hate it when those darned colored people break up a good natured gay bashing and ruin the fun.

That's not it at all. I coudl care less what color he is.

It's the whole "I'm a rich celebrity and i can do whatever i want because im famous and loaded."

I'm glad to see he's trying to do sometihng to better the community.

Maybe i'm wrong....


But you've gotta admit, the statement "For this incident I don't want to be credited as an individual who does police work, I want to be credited as a Miami Beach police officer."

He ain't even a fricken cop yet and already he wants to pretend he is?

So, is he trying to falsely represent himself as a LEO?

I don't know. I jsut have bad vibes.

yeah, he should be on MTV cribs smokin a joint

While most NBA stars are out having sex with underage girls or helping their "friends" score drugs, this guy is going back to school (just received his MBA a few months ago) and becoming involved in his community. I really don't have a problem with Shaq. It would be nice if a few more professional athletes would follow his lead.

Shaq is one of the very few professional athletes that I have any respect for

He  just seems to be enjoying life with no apparent overt freakyness.

Sean Penn in NO saving the world, Now Shaq is a crimefighter. Media whores

Hmmm... I make 10 million a month, I think I want be cop in my spare time now.

He'll make chief in no time. $$$$$$$ buys you anything you want. Geesh



ETA: As far as NBA dirtbags go,  he's NOT one of them

If you do a little research about Shaq you will find out that he is actually pretty giving of his own time and money.  He silently donates tons of cash to causes without taking credit, and he seems like a genuinely good guy.

Now sure, there have been indescresions (sp) in the past, but don't paint him with the same brush as MTV celebreties and murdering professional athlete thugs.  

Quoted: Sean Penn in NO saving the world, Now Shaq is a crimefighter. Media whores Hmmm... I make 10 million a month, I think I want be cop in my spare time now. He'll make chief in no time. $$$$$$$ buys you anything you want. Geesh

He's such a media hound about his police work that this is the first time you've heard about it while he's been doing it for a couple years.

edit..

posted not long ago...

www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=377786

I think what Shaq's doing is great.  I wish more pro athletes would be like him....

Good job, Shaq!

HH

Quoted: Sean Penn in NO saving the world, Now Shaq is a crimefighter. Media whores Hmmm... I make 10 million a month, I think I want be cop in my spare time now. He'll make chief in no time. $$$$$$$ buys you anything you want. Geesh ETA: As far as NBA dirtbags go,  he's NOT one of them

I had a thread on this a few months ago.  Shaq is one of the good guys, it is the media that is making the big deal about it, not Shaq.  He genually wants to help people.

Quoted: Quoted: Sean Penn in NO saving the world, Now Shaq is a crimefighter. Media whores Hmmm... I make 10 million a month, I think I want be cop in my spare time now. He'll make chief in no time. $$$$$$$ buys you anything you want. Geesh He's such a media hound about his police work that this is the first time you've heard about it while he's been doing it for years. edit.. posted not long ago... I knew about Shaq's popo duties when He was a Laker. Its just not worth mentioning. All citizens should react like this. www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=377786

I got a great job for him, Undercover narc! He can walk up totally INCONSPICUOUSLY and say 'hey do you have any Marijuania cigarettes for purchase?' i bet no one would recognise him and he would totally blend in with a crowd. Not even the best drug dealer lookouts would see him coming.

Quoted: While most NBA stars are out having sex with underage girls or helping their "friends" score drugs, this guy is going back to school (just received his MBA a few months ago) and becoming involved in his community. I really don't have a problem with Shaq. It would be nice if a few more professional athletes would follow his lead.

Shaq has a big house in TX where his baby's momma is shacked up while he lived in CA. Now that he's in FL, I think the woman and child are still shacked here in TX.

I'd take him for back-up.

Quoted: That's not it at all. I coudl care less what color he is. It's the whole "I'm a rich celebrity and i can do whatever i want because im famous and loaded." I'm glad to see he's trying to do sometihng to better the community. Maybe i'm wrong.... But you've gotta admit, the statement "For this incident I don't want to be credited as an individual who does police work, I want to be credited as a Miami Beach police officer." He ain't even a fricken cop yet and already he wants to pretend he is? So, is he trying to falsely represent himself as a LEO? I don't know. I jsut have bad vibes.

No flame, but you're reading into this waaaay too much.  

Now if he drove around with the producers of 'Cops' all day then you'd have a good point.

Quoted: No flame, but you're reading into this waaaay too much.   Now if he drove around with the producers of 'Cops' all day then you'd have a good point.

Woudln't be the first time i've done that. I guess i'm just used to celebrities being media whores.

If the NBA had more players like Shaq, more people might start watching it again.  I say good for him!

Shaq Assists Police in Arrest of Man Accused of Assaulting Gay Couple

Isn't that special?

While most NBA stars are out having sex with underage girls or helping their "friends" score drugs, this guy is going back to school (just received his MBA a few months ago) and becoming involved in his community. I really don't have a problem with Shaq. It would be nice if a few more professional athletes would follow his lead.

+1  To the guys who think he is just a rich athlete trying to show off...  yes, he is a rich athlete, and a humble one.  This is the nicest, most down to earth rich athlete you'd ever meet.  First money he got, rather than spend it on an "MTV crib" or Ferarri, he bought his mother a new house.  He seems to spend his money on everyone but himself.  He is the fine example an athlete should be to young kids.

But go on, some of you, run off at the mouth about the man.  You embarrass yourself.

I guess my question would be did he take the civil service like the rest of us have to or did he buy his way in?

Here's an article on some of the work he's done and his credentials

www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/heat/2005-05-25-shaq-undercover_x.htm

Shaq helping Miami cops hunt down sexual predators
MIAMI (AP) — He's Shaquille O'Neal, the world's largest undercover officer.
O'Neal, who is currently leading the Miami Heat against the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference finals, has joined a Department of Justice task force that tracks down sexual predators who target children on the Internet.

The 7-foot-1, 325-pound center was recently sworn in as a U.S. deputy marshal and, on the Saturday afternoon before the Miami-Washington playoff series, O'Neal spent six hours with Miami Beach police investigators helping with cases.

Miami Beach Police Chief Don De Lucca says O'Neal is becoming familiar with the techniques and software the officers use to track down the predators. O'Neal 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. "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.

"And I want to do it the right way, like everybody else, not just a famous figurehead that gets a job because he is a famous basketball player. I want to really learn the business."

Raised by a stepfather who was an Army sergeant, O'Neal has been interested in law enforcement since he was a teenager. Two of his uncles also worked in law enforcement.

While playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, O'Neal went through the police academy and became a reserve officer with the L.A. Port Police. When two Los Angeles police patrol cars were burned during celebrations for the 2000 Lakers NBA title, O'Neal wrote a personal check for $42,893 to replace one of the vehicles.

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.

After being traded 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.

"Shaq's interest in police work is very real," De Lucca said. "I've always said law enforcement is a calling, and I believe Shaquille has been called.

"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."


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Quoted: If the NBA had more players like Shaq, more people might start watching it again.  I say good for him!

Not only could the NBA use more players like him, PDs could use more people like him aswell.

Quoted: Shaq is one of the very few professional athletes that I have any respect for He  just seems to be enjoying life with no apparent overt freakyness.

My sentiments, as well.  I actually like the guy.

Quoted: Quoted: Great. Just what we need. Yeah, I hate it when those darned colored people break up a good natured gay bashing and ruin the fun.

Well said.  Condscending, funny, and appropriate.

Quoted: I guess my question would be did he take the civil service like the rest of us have to or did he buy his way in?

Normally, reserves aren't required to take a test since they're not full time employees. They do have to train at the academy and pass the tests there.

Quoted: Quoted: I guess my question would be did he take the civil service like the rest of us have to or did he buy his way in? Normally, reserves aren't required to take a test since they're not full time employees. They do have to train at the academy and pass the tests there.

Ahhh. I did not know that. Thank you.

From the article above:

"I put a lot into it, and when I am done playing, I plan on going undercover ...

Uhh ... does Shaq not know that he blocks the sun in two counties when he's outside? I mean, c'mon!

Good collar, Hightower!

I can see a new cop show on the horizon. "Shaq 5-0" .  

Instead of "book'em ,Dano" his tag line could be "you fouled out, bitch."