One of the most difficult times in a Black parent’s life is deciding when and how to have a conversation about what to do if a cop pulls you over with their child. In an interview with Jimmy Kimmel, former basketball player and sports commentator on Inside the NBA on TNT Shaquille O’ Neal reveals how he tells his children to handle being pulled over by the police.
O’ Neal, who is the father of five children says the first thing he tells his kids is to keep a level head and respect the police.
“First of all, you have to try to diffuse the situation or show respect,” O’Neal said. “If you have to understand that these people are also out here to do all their jobs. So, you try to diffuse the situation. If it happens to get rough, don’t say anything, don’t do anything, just comply.'”
O’Neal also said that if things go left remain calm, call him, and let him handle it.
“And then when all is said and done, you call me, and if stuff gets out of hand, then I will handle it. I will be the one to come around and act crazy. I don’t want you to act crazy while you’re out there by yourself. So, I just try to tell them, just comply, just listen, but a lot of times that doesn’t work either,” Shaq added.
O’Neal, who has some law enforcement training also commented on the death of George Floyd calling it “all the way wrong. Absolutely wrong, uncalled for. I’ve never seen that technique taught.”
As previously reported Floyd, killed during an encounter with Minneapolis police officers. Findings of an autopsy supported by his family revealed he died from asphyxiation due to neck and back compression after an officer held his knee on his neck for several minutes.
All four officers involved in the killing have been charged. Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng, and Tou Thao have been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. Derek Chauvin, who had his knee on Floyd’s back was previously charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter will also be charged with second-degree murder.
