A New York City police lieutenant has spoken out about feeling "ashamed" of himself for taking a knee in solidarity with Black Lives Matter protesters.

In an email obtained by the New York Post, Lieutenant Robert Cattani has also apologized to his fellow officers, telling them that his actions are "something I will be ashamed and humiliated about for the rest of my life."

The officer - of the Midtown South Precinct -reportedly sent the email on June 3, he states that he has lost sleep over the "horrible decision to give into a crowd of protesters' demands".

He added that the demonstrators chanted "NYPD, take a knee" during the protest at Foley Square in Lower Manhattan, and Cattani states that he feared the protest would become violent if he did not.

Footage of that demonstration can be seen below:

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"The conditions prior to the decision to take a knee were very difficult as we were put center stage with the entire crowd chanting," he wrote.

"I know I made the wrong decision. We didn’t know how the protesters would have reacted if we didn’t and were attempting to reduce extra violence.

"I thought maybe that one of the protester/rioters who saw it would later think twice about fighting or hurting a cop.

"I was wrong. At least that’s what I told myself when we made that bad decision. I know that it was wrong and something I will be ashamed and humiliated about for the rest of my life."

Referring specifically to ex-Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin, Cattani added: "We all know that a-hole in Minneapolis was wrong. Yet we don’t concede for other officer's mistakes. I do not place blame on anyone other than myself for not standing my ground."

Cattani said that his decision to take a knee "goes against every principle and value I stand for".

"I spent the first part of my career thriving to build a reputation of a good cop. I threw that all in the garbage Sunday," he continued.

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Since the demonstration, Cattani says that he has been unable to eat or sleep, and has even considered quitting.

"I could not imagine the idea of ever coming back to work and putting on the uniform I so wrongly shamed. However, I decided that was the easy way out for me and I will continue to come to work every day being there for my personnel."

There have been many instances of police officers across the country taking a knee to show solidarity with protesters.

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The video above was recorded on Murchison Road on Monday, June 1, and shows the moment 60 officers from the Fayetteville Police Department took a knee during a standoff with protesters.

The video was posted to Fayetteville Police's Twitter page, and the department said it "took a knee to show that we also stand for justice for everyone", adding: "We are committed to listening and treating everyone with dignity and respect."

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And above, NYPD chief Terence Monahan can be seen taking a knee in front of protesters in Washington Square Park on Monday.

Monahan showed solidarity after protestors starting throwing bottles at cops. A protestor can then be heard telling Chief Monahan that they needed police support, and help to organize. Monahan replied by taking a knee with protestors, before talking with and hugging them.

In many cases, officers taking a knee has appeared to de-escalate growing tensions between cops and protesters, with many videos online showing demonstrators embracing with the officers for doing so.

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