Los Angeles police were on the scene and ready to arrest actor Will Smith at the Academy Awards on Sunday for hitting presenter Chris Rock, the Hollywood ceremony’s producer revealed on Thursday. The authorities took no action since Rock declined to seek charges, according to producer Will Packer, repeating what a police spokeswoman said on Sunday.

“They were saying, you know, this is battery, was a word they used in that moment,” Packer said in excerpts from an interview that will air Friday on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

“They said, we will go get him. We are prepared. We’re prepared to get him right now,” Packer added

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During the live Oscars show, Smith marched up to the stage after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife’s appearance, then struck the comic in the face. A little less than an hour later, Smith delivered a heartfelt statement on stage as he collected the best actor award for his portrayal in “King Richard,” as police were negotiating possibilities with Rock behind the    scenes, according to Packer.

“Rock was 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,” Packer added. Rock representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Smith apologized to Rock, producers, and viewers in a statement on Monday, saying he had “reacted emotionally.”

Rock’s remark regarding Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, alluded to the 1997 film “G.I. Jane,” in which actress Demi Moore shaved her head. It was unclear whether Rock was aware that Jada Pinkett Smith suffers from a hair-loss problem. A police official stated Sunday night that the person engaged in the incident had declined to seek charges, but he did not elaborate on the exchanges during the awards presentation.