After viewing numerous mug shots to see if he can identify the perpetrator of a crime, an eyewitness says,

“I’m sorry. I’m just not sure I would recognize the guy from a photo.” The police officer conducting the photo lineup says, “You’re doing fine. Just keep looking through the photos. You never know when a face might jog your memory.” Is the officer’s comment a suggestive one that might influence the identification process? Why or why not?