Viral 'training video' shows officers try to keep squirrel out of building

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) - Two officers were put to the test when a slippery squirrel wandered into their police station this week.

A dispatcher captured video of the furry fellow after it had scampered past the front doors of the McHenry Police Department. 

Officers Paul Prather and Ryan Pardue can be seen struggling to close a set of automatic doors to keep the critter from getting past the vestibule. There is laughter and some screeching in the background. 

"In 2019 we're upping our training game. This video is a test of our officer's ability to handle disorderly subjects who come in to the police department. We were inspired by Rocky chasing a chicken, because 'if you can catch a chicken, you can catch greased lightning!' - right?," a department spokesman said in a post on Facebook. "'If you can handle a squirrel, you can handle, well, we don't know, that's why we're training!'"

“Mr. Squirrel made it out just fine and was not injured. Our officers on the other hand, they are seeking counseling," the post continued. 

Patrick Polidori, the McHenry police public affairs officer said the “resident squirrel” was still hanging around outside the police station, according to the Chicago Tribune. 

The video has more than 8,000 shares and 6,000 likes. 

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