A bit off-topic - apologies - but perhaps dimly related to the OP's incident. Last Friday boarding CO 62 (EWR-MAD) after having their boarding passes scanned at the gate, passengers were met at the top of the jetway by a squad (at least 5, perhaps more) of TSA professionals -- all male.

I was first onto the plane and only had to show my passport. Don't know what other passengers had to show or explain.

Had not seen this before. Possibly they were waiting for a specific passenger? These were TSA, not police.