Imagine walking into a Domino's Pizza in Arlington, Texas, back in 1989. You see a guy behind the counter who looks like he could bench press the oven. That was Ronnie Coleman. He had an accounting degree from Grambling State University, but the job market for accountants was rough. He was literally eating pizza every day because it was the only thing he could afford. Then he saw a newspaper ad. The Arlington Police Department was hiring.
It wasn't some deep-seated desire to fight crime. Honestly? He just wanted a steady paycheck and some insurance.
Becoming a ronnie coleman police officer wasn't just a side gig; it was the foundation of his entire legend. Most people think he quit the force the second he got a supplement deal. Nope. He stayed a full-time beat cop until 2000, which is wild when you realize he’d already won three Mr. Olympia titles by then. He didn't fully hang up the uniform (moving to reserve status) until 2003.
The Most Jacked Guy on Patrol
Can you imagine being a petty thief and seeing 300 pounds of muscle stepping out of a cruiser? Most people didn't even try to run.
Coleman has mentioned in interviews that he only got into maybe two physical fights in over a decade of policing. One legendary story involves a kid at a skate park who decided to test his luck. The kid used a racial slur and told Officer Coleman where to go. Big mistake. Ronnie reportedly snatched him by the throat and slammed him onto the hood of the car so hard it left a dent.
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Why the APD Let Him Stay
It’s a fair question. How does a guy who is clearly "enhanced" work for the police?
- Testing Costs: Testing for anabolic steroids is incredibly expensive—often over $100 per test back then. Most departments simply didn't have the budget to hunt for PEDs when they were busy with actual crime.
- Community Relations: Ronnie was a PR machine. Kids loved him. He’d finish a call and spend twenty minutes signing autographs and talking to students. The department loved the positive attention.
- The "Look" Factor: In a high-crime area, having a "RoboCop" on your side is a deterrent. If Ronnie Coleman tells you to move along, you move.
4:00 AM Workouts and Patrol Shifts
His schedule was absolutely brutal. He’d wake up at 4:00 AM to hit the gym. People often ask if he worked out before or after his shift. He usually did it before, hitting those "heavy-ass weights" at Metroflex Gym before putting on the uniform.
The Arlington Police Department gave him some flexibility, but he was still working 40 hours a week. Think about the calories. He was eating chicken and rice in his patrol car between calls. He would have his partner or an assistant grab him fast food just to keep the mass on. One local burger joint manager remembers Ronnie coming in and ordering three double cheeseburgers, three orders of fries, and multiple milkshakes—then eating the whole thing by himself at a table.
The Accounting Connection
People forget Ronnie was a numbers guy. He didn't get into bodybuilding for the "art." He got into it because Brian Dobson, the owner of Metroflex, offered him a free gym membership if he competed.
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Free.
That was the magic word for a guy struggling to pay rent. He won his first show, Mr. Texas, in 1990, and even beat his coach. But he didn't quit his job. He liked the security. Bodybuilding is a fickle sport; one injury and your income vanishes. The badge was his safety net.
Managing the Double Life
It’s easy to look back and think it was all glory, but Ronnie was exhausted. He was traveling to Finland, Russia, and France for competitions, then flying back to Texas to pull an evening shift on the streets of Arlington.
- 1989-2000: Full-time Officer.
- 2000-2003: Reserve Officer.
- Winning Streak: He won the Olympia in '98, '99, and '00 while still technically being a "full-time" cop.
Most pro bodybuilders today complain if they have to do 20 minutes of cardio. Ronnie was walking a beat, handling domestic disputes, and chasing suspects. It’s a testament to a work ethic that we probably won't see again in the sport.
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The Reality of the "Two Fights"
When Ronnie says he only got into two fights, it’s not because Arlington was peaceful. It’s because of the sheer intimidation factor. Law enforcement is often about "command presence." Ronnie didn't have to say much. His biceps were 22 inches. His quads were the size of tree trunks.
He once joked that the biggest perk of the job was the freedom of patrol. He loved being out in the community rather than stuck behind a desk. That freedom allowed him to manage his meals—which, at his peak, were happening every 2-3 hours.
Practical Lessons from the King
What can we actually learn from Ronnie's time as a cop?
- Don't quit your day job too early. Even as a world-class athlete, he valued the stability of a pension and insurance.
- Intensity over duration. Since he had to get to the station, his workouts were fast and incredibly heavy. He didn't have time to "faff" around.
- Community matters. He used his physical status to build bridges, not just to intimidate.
If you’re looking to apply the Coleman mindset to your own life, start by finding your "safety net." Whether it's a stable 9-to-5 or a side hustle, having financial security allows you to take bigger risks in your passions.
Next Steps for You:
If you want to train like the "Big Ron" era, focus on heavy compound movements like deadlifts, squats, and rows. Keep your rest periods short—aim for 60 to 90 seconds—to mimic the time-crunched intensity he had to use before his shifts. Finally, track your progress with the same meticulous detail Ronnie used for his accounting degree. Consistency is the only way to build that kind of "Unbelievable" legacy.