Shaq loses his badges over the use of the n-word and other profanities.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2008-06-24-shaq-badge_N.htm?csp=34Shaq's rap video costs him Arizona deputy badge
PHOENIX (AP) Shaquille O'Neal will lose his special deputy's badge in Maricopa County because of language he used in a rap video that mocks former teammate Kobe Bryant.
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said the Phoenix Suns center's use of a racially derogatory word and other foul language left him no choice. Arpaio made Shaq a special deputy in 2006 and promoted him to colonel of his largely ceremonial posse later that year.
"I want his two badges back," Arpaio told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "Because if any one of my deputies did something like this, they're fired. I don't condone this type of racial conduct."
Shaq was seen in a video posted on the celebrity news and gossip website TMZ.com rapping that "Kobe couldn't do without me." O'Neal skewers the Lakers' star, with whom he won three straight NBA titles from 2000-2002 while with Los Angeles, for not being able to win a championship without him.
"I was freestyling. That's all. It was all done in fun. Nothing serious whatsoever," O'Neal told ESPN.com Monday. A call to the Suns on Tuesday seeking comment from O'Neal was referred to his public relations firm, which didn't immediately respond.
http://www.wsls.com/sls/news/local/article/bedford_county_sheriff_speaks_out_on_shaqs_rap/13110/Bedford Co. Sheriff speaks out on Shaqs rap
By MOLLIE HALPERN
Investigative Reporter
The fallout continues for Shaquille ONeal after video of a rap song surfaced with him using what some say is racial derogatory language.
Shaq has gained national attention working with various law enforcement agencies to help cut down on crime.
Maricopa county, Arizona Sheriff, Joe Arpaio, has already stripped the NBA star of his special badge because of his actions.
Arpaio says: The matter of uh, this organization not tolerating these type of racial slurs, I dont care who they are. and i just said again, just recently, for the same word, fired a deputy sherif cadet. so if i fired him i want my badges back from Shaq .
The language in the rap also has the Bedford County Sheriffs office calling foul on ONeal.
The Phoenix Suns Center once traded in his basketball uniform to wear a Bedford county badge.
Sheriff Mike Brown, Bedford County Sheriff, says, He says he regrets it but we dont condone it, its unacceptable.
Although ONeals service as a reserve deputy office ended in January...Blue Ridge Thunder, the sheriffs task force to protect children from internet predators, continued to use his image for promotional purposes.
That is, until now.
His image has been taken down from the website, and posters and literature with his likenss will not be distributed.
Brown says ONeals many contributions to the internet crimes against children task force shouldnt be forgotten.
He says one day Shaq could be a role model again, Its gonna be some time before he comes back, you dont hold a mistake against someone forever.
Brown also tells us the Arizona sheriff did the right thing by stripping ONeal of his badge.
He says he would have done the same thing.
Also, the badge signifying ONeals association with the internet crimes against children task force will be returned.
I heard a debate on the radio where they played excerpts.
One DJ said what Shaq did was ok because he was off duty, freestyling and no one in the audience took offense. You can hear the crowd cheering as Shaq cut loose with the epithets.
The other DJ said Shaq should be held to the same standards as all the other deputies. They represent the force no matter where they are or when, so Arpaio did the right thing.
Is this a matter of personal free speech vs. professional police conduct?
Should Shaq have lost his badges?
What say you?
