Years Before Becoming a Police Officer, Lakers Legend Shaquille O’Neal Helped Cops Make an Arrest Against Homophobia

Add us on Google

Pragya Vashisth

Sep 19, 2022 | 10:30 AM EDT

Years Before Becoming a Police Officer, Lakers Legend Shaquille O’Neal Helped Cops Make an Arrest Against Homophobia

Add us on Google

Pragya Vashisth

Sep 19, 2022 | 10:30 AM EDT

Four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal has probably made more impact off the court than he did on it. The legendary center is undoubtedly one of the greatest ever to play the game. It would have taken a whole lot for someone as successful as O’Neal to outdo what he achieved on the basketball court. However, the big man was up for it.

Watch What’s Trending Now!

The 15-time All-Star is one of the most likable personalities in the world right now. While he used to intimidate people with his size during his playing days, Shaq has only gone on to become a beloved celebrity. The 7’1″ giant once helped the police make an arrest during his Miami Heat days.

In 2005, he helped the police by trailing a man who allegedly yelled anti-gay slurs at a couple before alerting an officer. The accused also reportedly threw a bottle at them before fleeing off.

Although the bottle hit one of the pedestrians, it didn’t cause any serious damage. Shaquille O’Neal proceeded to follow the car and informed an officer who eventually arrested the man. After this incident, the Miami Beach Police made O’Neal an honorary police officer. He earned $1 annually for his role with Miami Beach.

O’Neal said, “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.”

Shaquille O’Neal became a reserve police officer

The Los Angeles Lakers legend’s wish of becoming a police officer came true in 2015 when he was sworn in as a reserve police officer in South Florida. He had previously served as a reserve police officer for Miami Beach and Golden Beach in Florida.

However, this wasn’t the end of it for O’Neal. In 2019, Shaq became an honorary deputy by the Broward County Sheriff’s office. There have been many incidents over the years where Shaq has helped complete strangers. His philanthropic activities are well documented as well.

WATCH THIS STORY: Biggest and mightiest houses owned by NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal

O’Neal is certainly a gift that keeps on giving. From his role as an analyst for NBA on TNT to his weekly podcast, the former MVP always stays in the news.

What do you think of Shaq as a reserve police officer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Written by

Pragya Vashisth

257 Articles

Pragya Vashisth is the Lead Editor of She Got Game, EssentiallySports’ dedicated WNBA newsletter. With a Master’s degree in Sports Management and experience as a divisional basketball player, he brings both technical expertise and long-standing knowledge of the game to his editorial work. Since joining EssentiallySports in 2022, Pragya has worked across multiple roles, from writer to editor, before taking charge of She Got Game. In this role, he curates coverage of women’s basketball, spotlighting WNBA icons, rising stars, and the defining shifts shaping the league today. Earlier in his career at ES, Pragya was at the center of major coverage for the NBA Legends desk, from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame ceremonies to analysis of icons like Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley, helping establish the division’s identity and depth. His wider sports management background, which includes event operations, accreditation, and spectator engagement, gives him an insider’s view of how professional sports function off the court. With over 15 years of closely following the NBA, Pragya connects basketball’s culture and history with the human stories behind the game, ensuring She Got Game delivers coverage that is fresh, reliable, and meaningful for fans.

Know more

Edited by

Veer Badani