Dancing teen speaks to FOX 5 about viral video with DC cop

WASHINGTON - A dance video featuring a D.C. police officer and a teenager is going viral for all of the right reasons.

The stars of the video met when police responded Tuesday afternoon to a confrontation between two groups on K Street in Southwest D.C. As a female officer tried to disperse the crowd, 17-year-old Aaliyah Taylor approached her and started dancing to "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)." The officer challenged the teen to a dance-off to a song by rapper DLow.

Taylor, a Ballou High School senior, told FOX 5 that the officer helped calm a tense situation.

"It changed a lot of people's minds because usually people out here saying cops are bad, but not all cops are bad. And that just showed that not all cops are bad. There's still some good cops out here and that is one of them," said Taylor.

As of Thursday afternoon, a Facebook video of the dance battle had more than 600,000 views.

It has received attention worldwide, including from President Obama. He tweeted, "Who knew community policing could involve the Nae Nae? Great example of police having fun while keeping us safe."

In a statement, Police Chief Cathy Lanier also praised the officer:

The viral video today of the First District Officer positively engaging with teens and diffusing the conflict yesterday in a manner that appropriately resolved the call is reflective of the many positive police-community interactions that take place daily in Washington, D.C. The officer is known for her hard work and dedication to policing. She is a great credit to the Metropolitan Police Department.

The unidentified officer has been with D.C. police for about three years and served in Iraq.

So basically I was trynna get to this girl but the police told me to go home so we made this deal if i win u leave but if u win I step andddddd she step 󾰴✌🏽️