The NYPD's highest-ranked uniformed officer sent a powerful message of solidarity when he joined hands and knelt with protesters at a June 1 demonstration in Washington Square Park.
Images of the moment of unity went viral. But NYPD Chief of Detectives Terrance Monahan told Q104.3 New York's Shelli Sonstein that the scene at the park was on the verge of taking a much uglier turn.
Two officers who had just made an arrest had been 'swarmed' by the crowd of some 5,000 protesters. As the officers got to the street, Monahan says the crowd began moving towards a line of cops.
"A couple of bottles got thrown at us. At that point, it looked like there might be a confrontation, but two of the organizers from the event, jumped in front of the crowd, yelling at them, 'This is not against the police. This is not against the NYPD. This is wrong. We don't attack the cops. Stop it. Stop it,'" Monahan said. "It's at that point, as he's trying to hold back the crowd, he asked me to come up."
Monahan told the crowd through a loudspeaker that he and his fellow officers agreed that George Floyd's killing was unjustifiable and that the four officers involved in the murder were rightfully arrested. He urged them to work with police to identify those who were out to take advantage of the disorder or trying to encourage violence.
After speaking, Monahan said the organizer asked him to kneel "so we can have some peace."
"That's what I did. It all happened literally in a matter of moments; there was no real thinking about what was going to be done," he said. "I really appreciated that he was out there...defending the police to the crowds."
The heartening moment relieved the tension almost instantly.
Monahan said he was simply reacting to what was going on in front of him. His officers were tired and frustrated after several days of managing demonstrations and trying to thwart rioters eager undermine rightful protesters.
"It meant so much to me that there was someone in the crowd who was organizing it that was willing to speak out: This isn't about attacking police. This is not what the movement is about," Monahan said. "I felt a connection to him at that point; that's why I gave him the big hug when we got up."
While violence and looting accompanied several nights of demonstrations, Monahan says more recent protests have been safe and peaceful and were attended by just as many.
Listen to the full interview in the player above or here via iHeartRadio.
Photo: Getty Images