NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, known by an array of nicknames including “The Big Aristotle,” “The Big Shamrock” and “The Diesel,” recently took a break from his basketball commentary to lend a hand to the Los Angeles Port Police Department’s recruitment drive.
In a recruitment video that has since garnered attention on social media, the legendary basketball star made a dramatic cameo appearance, showcasing his commitment to law enforcement and teamwork.
In the video, officers surround a defiant suspect at the bustling Los Angeles port, who taunts them with the words “That’s all you got?”
In a suspenseful moment, the officers then radio for reinforcements, invoking the iconic monikers of Shaq’s basketball glory days. Summoned by the call, O’Neal emerges, clinging to a massive police vehicle and pointing the suspect toward the back of another police cruiser. The suspect, realizing the situation, makes a run for it and obediently climbs into the vehicle.
“The team is more important than any one of us. If you have what it takes to join the Los Angeles Port Police, then come on down,” O’Neal says in the video. “It’s time to dive in.”
This isn’t O’Neal’s first foray into the world of law enforcement. During his 19-year NBA career, which spanned six different teams, he managed to balance his sporting excellence with his commitment to public service. He went through the L.A. County Sheriff’s Reserve Academy while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers and became a reserve officer for the L.A. Port Police in 2002.
In 2005, O’Neal became an honorary United States deputy marshal, collaborating with the Safe Surfin’ Foundation and advocating for online safety. Following his trade to the Miami Heat, O’Neal underwent training for the Miami Beach Police Department and was officially sworn in as a reserve officer in 2005. His commitment to law enforcement was further recognized when he was named an honorary deputy by the Bedford County Sheriff’s Department and became a reserve officer for the Doral Police Department in Florida. He was sworn in as a sheriff’s deputy in Jonesboro, Georgia, in 2016.
The Los Angeles Port Police expressed their gratitude to their famous alumnus.
“Big thanks to @SHAQ for his continued support for law enforcement and spending time with his old police department. It was great to see him back in our uniform!” the agency posted on social media.
