Rochester’s top cop surveyed the scene before a massive protest in downtown Rochester Friday.

“We have to try things differently than what we’ve done in the past,” said Rochester Police Chief, La'Ron Singletary.

Chief Singletary and his command staff were out with protestors Friday at the beginning of the “die-in” — they say to be accessible to the crowd.

“It’s important for us to be out here, it’s important for me to be out here, I’ve been talking about this throughout the entire week and I had to show action," Chief Singletary said.

The chief says he was there to provide an olive branch to protestors as well.

“We do know that there’s a message out here, and the message needs to be heard and resonated loud and clear,” he said.

“We see the violence that’s happening in the streets and we see the fear that a lot of people are having, but we’re going to come out,” said protest organizer Sam Tequir.

Tequir was one of many people the police chief talked to before the rally.

“You know I appreciate that he came over without their gear on to say hello and to see what we’re doing, and honestly I am not worried about what they’re doing, or what they have to say to us, we’re just here to enjoy our space and make ourselves seen,” Tequir.

Organizers tell Spectrum News the goal of the protest is police reform — and officers showing more care.