LAPD Couldn't Arrest Will Smith, Cops Didn't See Chris Rock Slap

There is growing anger toward the LAPD for not arresting Will Smith on the spot even after Chris Rock said he didn't want Will busted, but there were only 2 ways cops could have taken Will out of the Dolby Theater in cuffs.

The sources tell us that only one officer was inside the auditorium, and that he didn't see the slap. The only way a cop could arrest Will on his/her own is if it was committed in their presence.

The officer waited outside for a while and asked Chris if he wanted to press charges after hearing what happened, and then went to the dressing room. Chris was clear that he did not want Will to stay.

Will could have been arrested. Someone in the crowd could have asked a cop to make a citizen's arrest. No one in the crowd asked to do that under California law, where a private person may arrest another for a public offense committed or attempted in his presence.

There was a flood of angry people who either called the LAPD or went to one of the divisions and asked to arrest Will for battery. They did not witness the slap in person, so the LAPD could not do anything.

Chris isn't talking about the whole incident. Chris is still processing what happened so he can have a change of heart. The Los Angeles Police Department can't do anything.