Two Chicago cops shown kneeling in an Instagram photo will be punished for violating department policy against political activity while on duty, but Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants it to be just a gentle tap on the wrist, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The officers, who haven’t been identified by Chicago police, are seen in the Sunday post with their fists raised alongside a woman listed online as "englewoodbarbie." The Tribune identified the woman as well-known Chicago activist Aleta Clark.

That Moment when you walk into the police station and ask the Men of Color are they Against Police Brutality and Racism & they say Yes... then you ask them if they support Colin Kapernick... and they also say yes... then you ask them to Kneel.! ✊🏿👏🏿 #ColinKaepernick #WeSupportYou A post shared by Aleta (@englewoodbarbie) on Sep 24, 2017 at 11:34am PDT

Anthony Guglielmi, spokesman for the Chicago Police Department, told the Tribune that "we are aware of the photo and we will address it in the same way we have handled previous incidents in which officers have made political statements while in uniform, with a reprimand and a reminder of department policies."

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Emanuel charged that Clark put the officers in a difficult position, the Chicago Sun-Times said.

"You want that kind of dialogue and trust…They were somewhat betwixt and between two different aspirations," Emanuel said, per the Sun-Times. "One, there's a policy for the police department. The other one there's a goal of building better community relations."

Emanuel said he supports disciplining the offers for the need of a "culture of consistency" in the department. He added, though, he was not interested in coming down hard on them and saw a positive in the interaction with a police department that has been at odds with some African-Americans in the community, the Sun-Times said.

Last Sunday, more than 200 NFL players took a knee during the national anthem before football games after President Donald Trump suggested that owners should fire protesting players. The protest originated last season with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who first sat and then kneeled during the national anthem to protest alleged police brutality against African-Americans.