Donald Trump seemingly endorses police brutality

His comments were followed by laughter and applause

President Donald Trump pumps his fist after speaking to law enforcement officials (AP)

Donald Trump has appeared to endorse police brutality.

During a speech to law enforcement officials on Long Island, New York, the President suggested that officers shouldn't protect suspects' heads when they're pushing them into police vehicles.

“And when you see these towns and when you see these thugs being thrown into the back of a paddy wagon — you just see them thrown in, rough — I said, ‘Please don’t be too nice,’” Mr Trump said.

“Like when you guys put somebody in the car and you’re protecting their head, you know, the way you put their hand over? 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, okay?’” he added.

His remarks were greeted with loud applause and laughter.

Mr Trump also asserted that laws were “horrendously stacked” against police officers, saying that that will change.

“For years and years, [laws have] been made to protect the criminal,” Trump said. “Totally protect the criminal, not the officers. You do something wrong, you’re in more jeopardy than they are. These laws are stacked against you. We’re changing those laws.”

In response to the President's address, the Suffolk County Police Department said it does “not and will not tolerate roughing up of prisoners.”

“The SCPD has strict rules & procedures relating to the handling of prisoners. Violations of those rules are treated extremely seriously,” the department tweeted.