Police departments across the country are hitting back at President Donald Trump after a 'joke' he made about roughing up suspects.

During a speech he gave at Suffolk County Community College in New York, on Friday, the President made comments implying that he was in support of unnecessary police force.

'When you see these thugs being thrown into the back of a paddy wagon, you just seen them thrown in, rough. I said, "Please don't be too nice",' he said in his speech.

'Like when you guys put somebody in the car and you're protecting their head, you know, the way you put their hand over?' the president continued, mimicking the gesture. 'Like, don't hit their head and they've just killed somebody. Don't hit their head? I said, "You can take the hand away, OK?"'

The comment drew ire from several departments accusing Trump of normalizing police brutality.

President Donald Trump drew criticism from a 'joke' he made during a speech at Suffolk County Community College on Friday (pictured) in which he seemed to suggest it was acceptable to rough up suspects when arresting them

The Suffolk County Police Department in New York was the first to hit back at Trump's remarks

The comments were made during an address largely focusing on the transnational, violent gang MS-13. And although a group of police officers standing behind Trump applauded at the remark in his speech, the Suffolk County Police Department tweeted shortly after, condemning it.

'The SCPD has strict rules & procedures relating to the handling of prisoners. Violations of those rules are treated extremely seriously,' the Friday afternoon tweet read.

'As a department, we do not and will not tolerate roughing up prisoners.'

But it didn't stop in New York. Police officers in Gainesville, Florida, offered up their own rebuttal.

'The @POTUS made remarks today that endorsed and condoned police brutality. GPD rejects these remarks and continues to serve with respect,' read the department's tweet.

A statement was also released by the International Association of Chiefs of Police on Friday evening, although Trump was not mentioned by name.

Statements from the Gainesville Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police followed

This is not the first time the president (gesturing during speech on Friday) has condoned becoming physical with others, often suggesting his supporters do so with protesters

It read in part: 'Law enforcement officers are trained to treat individuals, whether they are a complainant, suspect, or defendant, with dignity and respect. This is the bedrock principle behind the concepts of procedural justice and police legitimacy.'

This is not the first time the commander-in-chief has condoned becoming physical with others.

On the day of the Iowa caucuses in February 2016, Trump told audience members he would cover their legal fees if they engaged in violence against protesters.

'If you see somebody getting ready to throw a tomato, knock the crap out of them, would you?' he said.

'Seriously, OK? Just knock the hell...I promise you I will pay for the legal fees. I promise, I promise.'

And when a protester interrupted a Las Vegas rally, Trump said 'guys like that' used to be 'carried out in a stretcher,' adding: 'I'd like to punch him in the face, I tell ya.'