Shaquille O'Neal applies to be a reserve police officer in Florida

Retired basketball star Shaquille O'Neal is now set to fight crime on the streets as he has reportedly applied to be a reserve police officer in Florida.

The 7ft 1in-tall NBA legend will battle criminals on the streets of Doral, near Miami, if his application is accepted.

However, city spokeswoman Christina Baguer said that O'Neal must first pass psychological and physical tests to ensure he is fit enough to join Miami Beach Police Department, Sky News reported

She said that O'Neal submitted his request on Wednesday and would be given no preferential treatment, and added that if he passes the first stage of the application, he will then has to do everything else to be certified by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, just like any of their other officers, reserve or not reserve.

O'Neal, who is a four-time NBA champion, left professional basketball in 2011 after stints with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics.

The former basketball player apparently has some previous experience as a cop as local media revealed that he served briefly as a reserve officer in Miami Beach in 2005, the report added.