Man enlists police to help him propose to his girlfriend in scheme to promote unity

A lot can be said about Daiwan McPherson's very unique proposal to his girlfriend, Shawna Blackmon, but if nothing else, it will most certainly be memorable.

McPherson, an Alabama native, popped the question on Saturday in a plot that took two months to develop, according KTRK-TV, and required the help of the Mobile Police Department.

He arranged it so he would be a part of a "police chase." McPherson's friend, Tyler Colvin, explained in a Facebook post that the proposal was an all-day event that came to a head in the evening when a police cruiser suddenly pulled up with lights flashing and two officers came out with guns drawn.

When the officers — who, according to the boyfriend, were "all for" the scheme — approached McPherson, he dropped to his knees, prompting a visibly frightened Blackmon to stop in between the cops and her boyfriend in an attempt to de-escalate the bogus situation.

Then, McPherson reached into his pocket — as the police officers, playing their part, were shouting at him not to reach for anything — to retrieve the ring.

Once she noticed the ring, Blackmon's fear turned to joy and she started crying. The officers traded their stern demeanors for excitement, as the shocked girlfriend leaned on one of them to regain her composure.

There were some very mixed reactions to the proposal plot, some calling it "disgusting," a "mockery" and equating it to "police brutality."

But for McPherson, the creative — and somewhat bizarre — proposal was about more than his girlfriend. He also wanted to help promote unity between the public and police officers.

"I really wanted to bring the bike life and the police together," McPherson, a member of a biker community, told AL.com, adding that he hopes the video goes viral to show that the public and law enforcement can work together for good.

"I can't believe I actually pulled this off," he continued.

As for McPherson's new fiancé, she said she "appreciates" the way he proposed.