Oscars Producer Will Packer Says LAPD Was On The Scene Ready To Arrest Will Smith For Chris Rock Slap [Video]

Oscars Producer Will Packer is finally sitting down to discuss Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Academy Awards on Sunday.

In an upcoming interview with Good Morning America with T.J. Holmes, Will Packer says that LAPD was on the scene of the awards, ready to arrest Will Smith only if Chris Rock wanted to press charges.

“They were saying, you know, this is battery, was a word they used in that moment. They said, ‘We will go get him. We are prepared. We’re prepared to get him right now. You can press charges, we can arrest him,’” Packer said. “They were laying out the options. And as they were talking, Chris was — he was being very dismissive of those options. He was like, ‘No, no, no, I’m fine.’ And even to the point where I said, ‘Rock, let them finish.’ The LAPD officers finished laying out what his options were and they said, ‘Would you like us to take any action?’ And he said no. He said no.”

Chris Rock declined to press charges against Smith.

“LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program. The incident involved one individual slapping another,” the LAPD statement said. “The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.”

Since the incident the Academy Awards has stated that Smith now faces “suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions permitted” as a result of slapping Rock.

Will Smith has since apologized for the incident.

“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally,” Smith wrote. “I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”