Kindergarten Cop Turns Traffic Cop

Dec. 14, 2006 — -- Officer Delicious is a leading man in Operation Red Light, patrolling the streets of West Palm Beach, Fla., in a black mini-skirt, fishnet stockings and size-14 ladies' boots that rise to the top of his burly calves.

"Of course I have to accessorize with a necklace and a reflective watch," said the kindergarten cop-turned-traffic cop who, 10 years ago, gave up an acting career to enter law enforcement.

"I pick out my outfits in shops all over the city," he said. "All the sales ladies know me."

His real name is Terry Golden, a middle-aged police officer who uses theatrical methods to deter drivers from running red lights and speeding.

Working in a part-public-awareness, part-undercover operation run by the West Palm Beach Police Department, Golden sees his role as two-fold: Those who know his outlandish garb are reminded not to break the law; unsuspecting scofflaws are ticketed.

Several times a year he dons his favorite women's dresses and stands at busy intersections with a laser gun. When he sees scofflaws, he radios ahead to uniformed officers.

The towering patrolman has particular trouble finding the right-sized clothing, so he often goes to Lane Bryant "for big ladies" and to a risqué Fort Lauderdale boutique for his boots.

"You don't want to know what else they sell there," he laughs. "They sell to ladies of the night, day and midday -- you name it!"

Golden enjoys working in disguise, say fellow officers in the 300-person West Palm Beach police force. Traffic violations are a top priority, and just this week, Golden caught 100 speeders in one morning.

"I have a whole bunch of different clothing," said Golden. "When I get home, I mix and match and see what works. I get excited just thinking about the possibilities. I like the anticipation to build up. When I put together an outfit, I don't look until other people see me. I use them as my mirror."

Golden got his stage name from a passerby the first day on the undercover dragnet.

"A guy stopped at the light on the corner and said, 'You look good enough to eat - delicious,'" said Golden. "It kind of stuck."

Officer Delicious acquired his dramatic flair from earlier days acting in films and television ads. He had small roles with Tom Selleck in the 1989 film "An Innocent Man" and with Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1990's "Kindergarten Cop." In that movie, Golden played one of the druggies on the sofa in the party pooper scene.

"People see him and send us pictures of him doing his detail, and we laugh or comment on how he looks," said fellow officer Walter Parenteau. "Sometimes he looks really good and sometimes you say to him, 'You got to be kidding!'"

Golden joined the force in 1996 after working as an actor in both New York City and California. He first arrived in Florida to do a cable series for Disney-MGM and decided to stay.

Golden had always been interested in comedy writing about police rookies, and while doing research, connected with an uncle who was in law enforcement. Golden ended up going to the police academy, where he was chosen president of his class.

"I realized I'd missed my calling and got hired," he said.

On his off days, when Golden is not working in drag, he's a motorcycle cop. But Golden is dead serious about his work. The officer whose place he filled on motorcycle patrol was killed when he was struck by a car.

The traffic squad doesn't consider their colorful stings as unconventional. Just last week, ABCNEWS.com reported that an Orange County, Fla., policeman, dressed as an elf, was giving out tickets, armed with a radar gun and a citation pad.

"You've seen the elf, we've got Terry, who dresses as a woman," said Parenteau. "These techniques are not new."

Other officers play roles, too: as a homeless person, an electrician and a construction worker. One handicapped officer uses his own wheelchair as a ruse.

Golden sees his cross-dressing as a deterrent to accidents and deaths. "We have fun, but we are really serious about it," he said. "We are highly recognizable. I stand out there with my radio in my purse. One of the points we are making is there are a lot of distractions in the street, so you need to still pay attention."

Golden's colleagues give him rave reviews for his extroverted personality and his good character.

"He's a personal friend of mine and so, I am biased," said dispatcher Shelley Claire. "I'm sure they laugh a lot downstairs in traffic when he's dressed that way on the road. He's very cool with a real nice personality."

Golden was named "Officer of the Year" for his work with the National Alliance on Mental Illness in their Law and Criminal Justice Action Center. He answers calls on suicide and crisis intervention hot lines.

He also gives emotional and financial support to four elderly Florida families and serves as a Big Brother.

"God gave me this talent," said Golden. "I lost my whole family. My father died on Thanksgiving a few years ago. My mom died last year on my birthday and my sister was raped, beaten and strangled in Coney Island when I was 14.

"I am the master of tragedy," he said. "God gave me the power to have empathy for others."