An NYPD detective has been sidelined from active investigations after her unexpected appearance as a stripper in a racy music video went viral.
Detective Melissa Mercado, a well-regarded investigator in the Special Victims Unit, has been removed from handling active crime cases while the department conducts an internal review.
Authorities are currently determining whether Mercado properly disclosed her off-duty work, as all NYPD officers are required to submit official paperwork for any side gigs. At this time, it remains unclear if her participation in the video violated department policies.
The New York Post was the first to report on the NYPD’s review following the release of the controversial music video, titled Doin That, by NYC rapper S-Quire.
In case you missed it, Mercado was featured prominently in the video wearing a bra and G-string, dancing in a nightclub and VIP lounge, and even posing on a bed in lingerie. Her unexpected role quickly caught the internet’s attention, sparking debates about officers’ personal lives outside the badge.
According to S-Quire and the video’s director, Pitch Perfect, Mercado was cast through an agency, and they had no clue she was an active-duty cop.
The NYPD has yet to release an official statement regarding Mercado’s status or potential disciplinary action. As the investigation unfolds, many are questioning where the line should be drawn between an officer’s personal and professional life.
