Mario Says Cops Can Show Restraint If They Want To, They Just Don’t

Mario says police can exercise restraint when they want to, but most cops just don’t … a lesson he’s already learned first hand.

The singer joined us Thursday on “TMZ Live” and recounted his recent run-in with police in Miami, when guns were drawn and an intense standoff was diffused only when an officer realized he was a celeb.

Mario says he was caught off guard when police stopped the car he was riding in and held him and the driver at gunpoint … he says he was very lucky one cop recognized him because things could have turned ugly in a hurry.

The incident left Mario shaken, and also taught him a hard lesson … he says cops can practice restraint whenever they want, especially when another cop steps in, but for some reason most police just let their instincts take over.

Mario’s also got a new single out, “Rewrite It,” and he tells us the inspiration behind it, and how it ties into protests against police brutality.