Busta Rhymes -- Cops Love Me ... When They're Not Arresting Me! (PHOTO)

Busta Rhymes' recent run-ins with law enforcement might lead you to believe he doesn't like cops, but it turns out the opposite's true ... he loves 'em!

Busta was leaving 1 OAK Tuesday night in New York City and was totally palling around with every officer he came across.

The rap legend was arrested last week in NYC for allegedly assaulting a guy at a gym ... and he's also under investigation in Los Angeles for allegedly threatening a woman at the BET Awards back in June.

What we don't know ... whether he feels the same way about L.A. cops, who are looking to interview him in connection with the BET investigation.