Charles Ramsey, the former Washington, D.C., police chief and Philadelphia police commissioner, early Monday blasted comments from President Trump during which the president appeared to encourage members of law enforcement to rough up suspects.

“This is the president of the United States. He’s commander in chief, not a stand-up comic,” Ramsey said on CNN’s "New Day." “Words matter.”

Ramsey said that Trump should be more wary of the language he uses because he “can actually influence behavior; it can shape public opinion.”

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He added that he thought the reaction of officers who were at the rally with Trump last week was inappropriate. Police laughed and applauded when Trump said that police shouldn’t “be too nice” to suspects and allow their heads to hit the doors of police cars as they’re arrested.

“If they truly believe that, then they ought to be ashamed, because that’s not what policing is about,” Ramsey said.

He said some of the officers in the crowd might have been “starstruck” and felt that they had to laugh, but that the reaction “gave the wrong impression” as police try to improve their reputation across the country.

Ramsey added that police support of Trump may be misguided because police forces follow local and state guidelines, not national ones.

“If you engage in misconduct, if you think the president of the United States is going to save you, you’re mistaken,” Ramsey said. “It’s just not how it operates.”