Watch the moment US police surprise drivers by giving out turkeys instead of tickets

Police in America briefly swapped tickets for turkeys as part of a unique campaign.

Officers from the Laredo Police Department in Texas surprised traffic violators by offering them the Thanksgiving bird instead of a ticket as part of a scheme called Operation Peacemaker.

Alongside the turkey, officers gave drivers written warning but let them off without a ticket.

The footage released by the police department shows a woman breaking down when she is handed her turkey by a Laredo officer.

The police officer tells her to “have an awesome Thanksgiving”.

The Turkeys were donated by a local business and 25 were given out on November 17.

Chief Claudio Trevino of Laredo Police Department said that the officers came up with the idea themselves.

He said: “That commitment to the betterment and service to our community is what makes me proudest to be the head of such a dedicated and compassionate group of officers”.