By admin 
Haitian center Olden Polynice played only one season for the Los Angeles Clippers. During his one-year stint in L.A., Polynice claimed that he was given an honorary police badge by the Los Angeles Police Department. He never said why he got one, but honorary badges are symbolic tokens given to citizens as a symbol of appreciation or special recognition.
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In 2000, when he played for the Utah Jazz, Olden was accused of flashing the badge during a traffic dispute while claiming to be a member of the police force. That stunt got OP in trouble as he was charged with impersonating an officer and disorderly conduct. However, the Jazz stood by their big man, with team president Dennis Haslam defending the seven-footer from the accusations.
“Polynice’s version of the incident affirms that he did nothing wrong and he is confident that this will be resolved shortly. I don’t see this as a big deal. Frankly, I look at Olden as probably a victim. That we are to think he tried to impersonate himself as a police officer is pretty silly,”said Haslam.
OP claimed to be a California police officer
The charge against Polynice stemmed from an October 28, 2000, incident involving Steven McSweeney and Laurie Stephenson, who were driving home on Redwood Road when their car was nearly rear-ended by a black Mercedes-Benz. The couple got into an argument with the Benz owner, who accused them of cutting him off.
In the heat of their discussion, the man showed his wallet, flashed a badge, and claimed he was a California police officer. They did not recognize who he was, but they took down his license plate and reported it to the police and that’s how the driver was identified as the NBA player. However, the Jazz refused to believe that story and stood by Olden’s explanation.
“Olden identified himself as a member of the Utah Jazz and pulled out his wallet, as I understand it, to say ‘I’m Olden Polynice of the Jazz,”‘ Haslam added.
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Polynice pleaded guilty, then smacked a golfer seven months later
Two months later, it was the Jazz who looked silly when Polynice pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 18 months of probation, ordered to pay $500 in fines and undergo counseling.
OP was also ordered to perform community service at the local Boys & Girls Club. Meanwhile, the Jazz responded by suspending their center for one game, costing him $27,000 of his salary.
“He used poor judgment and he regrets it,” said Polynice’s lawyer. “He wants to be a good role model.”
The good role model didn’t last long, as seven months later, Polynice went from road rage to golf course rage as he was charged with a class B misdemeanor assault for hitting another golfer in the face and spitting on him.
This time around, Polynice fought the charge in court. However, he was found guilty as accused. Not only did Olden get an additional 240 hours of community service and a fine of $1,850, but he was also booked for two nights at the Salt Lake County Jail for violating his probation.
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This story was originally published September 14, 2026 at 6:03 AM.