'Squealing' former New York cop wrangles first alligator in new job: 'Official welcome to Florida'
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It’s law enforcement on a whole new “scale.”

While attempting to capture his first alligator in Florida, a former New York police officer found out just how challenging the task can be. In a humorous Facebook post, the Largo Police Department shared that Officer Martinez had a funny reaction when dealing with the unexpected visitor.

The incident occurred when the alligator made its way onto a property in Largo, creating what was described as a typical “Florida situation.” Even though most of the team handled the situation with expertise, the New York officer’s inexperience with alligators was evident in his reaction.

“You have big teeth. I have tiny fingers,” Martinez tells the hissing critter as another officer tries to hand it to him.


Martinez
Officer Martinez got spooked while trying to wrangle his first alligator on duty in Florida. Largo Police Department via Storyful

The juvenile alligator, which has its jaws taped shut, suddenly begins thrashing wildly — causing Martinez to yell, “Ah! Oh god, why?!”

According to officials and footage from the scene, the officer was visibly startled and began “squealing” during his encounter with the gator. The Largo Police Department light-heartedly commented on the situation, highlighting the officer’s first-time experience with handling such wildlife in Florida.

“Let’s just say there was some jumping and maybe some squealing.”

Martinez — whose first name or previous police job in New York wasn’t released — then holds the gator with a spooked facial expression and then a grin as someone else snaps a photo.


Martinez with gator
Martinez got an “official welcome to Florida,” while wrangling the gator, cops said. Largo Police Department via Storyful

The police department called the moment Martinez’s “official welcome to Florida,” where weird crime and exotic critters run amok.

It wasn’t immediately clear which New York police department Martinez had previously worked for.

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