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Saturday, November 11, 2000
7-footer allegedly flashed honorary badge
Associated Press
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SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah Jazz center Olden Polynice has been
charged with impersonating a police officer and disorderly conduct
stemming from a traffic dispute last month.
|  | | Olden Polynice, a 7-footer, can be an imposing figure, even without a police badge to help.
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West Valley (Utah) prosecutor John Huber said Friday that Polynice
chased another motorist Oct. 28. Polynice told authorities he had
been cut off in traffic.
The player, who police say flashed a badge at the motorist,
refused comment as he left the Delta Center after a shootaround Friday morning. But Jazz president Dennis Haslam defended Polynice.
"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."
Haslam explained the badge flashing allegation by saying,
"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."'
Huber said Polynice flashed a badge at the other motorist more
than once. The badge is an honorary police badge from the Los
Angeles Police Department.
Huber said Polynice followed a West Valley City couple to their
home, then argued when both sides got out of their vehicles. Huber
said the couple didn't recognize the 7-foot Polynice as a Jazz
player.
Police arrived after Polynice drove away. The couple wrote down
Polynice's license plate and investigators tracked him down that
evening.
This week, the city attorney's office charged Polynice with one
count of impersonating a police officer and one count of disorderly
conduct, both misdemeanors.
If Polynice is convicted, he could be sentenced up to nine
months in jail and more than $2,000 in fines.
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