PHOENIX (AP)Shaquille ONeal will lose his special deputys 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 centers 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, theyre fired. I dont condone this type of racial conduct.

Shaq was seen in a video posted on the celebrity news and gossip Web site TMZ.com rapping that Kobe couldnt do without me. ONeal 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. Thats all. It was all done in fun. Nothing serious whatsoever, ONeal told ESPN.com Monday. A call to the Suns on Tuesday seeking comment from ONeal was referred to his public relations firm, which didnt immediately respond.

Arpaio, who describes himself as Americas Toughest Sheriff and is best known for feeding jail inmates green bologna, clothing them in pink underwear, and making them work on chain gangs, said he didnt expect his actions would teach Shaq a lesson. But he hoped he learns that as a role model who wants to someday be a full-time sheriff, he needs to know his words matter.

Maybe Im old fashioned, but I dont think that either conduct should be out there publicly, even if media wasnt there, Arpaio said.

ONeal previously served as a reserve officer with the Miami Beach Police Department while playing for the Miami Heat. He also volunteered with the Tempe Police Department after being traded to the Suns in February.