Westchester Reporter

Actor Denzel Washington recently denounced Black Livest Matter protesters and praised police officers.

Washington suggested that those who are sharing anti-police and anti-military sentiments were hypocritical because they were protesting against those who provide them the freedom to do so, Newsmax reported. 

“I have the utmost respect for what (police) do, for what our soldiers do, (people) that sacrifice their lives,” Washington said to Yahoo Entertainment, Newsmax reported. “I just don’t care for people who put those kind of people down. If it weren’t for them, we would not have the freedom to complain about what they do.”

Washington has played many police officer and soldier roles throughout the years. He said one time he was answering a call with a sergeant that involved a distraught man who had a rifle outside of his home.

“I wasn’t getting out. He got out,” Washington said, Newsmax reported. “As he got out, another car came screaming up and two young people jumped out screaming. As it turned out, it was their grandfather. This policeman defused the entire situation by just remaining calm.”

Washington said the officer did not overreact.

“But it showed me in an instant how they can lose their life. … He didn’t overreact,” Washington said, Newsmax reported. “He could’ve pulled his gun out and shot the people that came up driving real fast. He could’ve shot the old man that was distraught and a bit confused, I think he was suffering a little bit from dementia. But in an instant, it taught me, and I never forgot it, what our law enforcement people have to deal with moment to moment, second to second.”

In his latest film, “The Little Things,” Washington plays a law enforcement officer. He stars with Rami Malek in the film, which will be released on Friday.