An NYPD detective has been removed from active cases after a viral rap video surfaced showing her pole-dancing in a strip club.
Melissa Mercado, a Bronx-based officer in the Special Victims Unit, appeared in a music video for hip-hop artist S-Quire, where she performed in lingerie. The video for “Doin’ That” has amassed over 1.6 million views in a month, sparking controversy within the department.
A spokesperson for the NYPD confirmed that Mercado’s actions are under review and that she has been taken off duty while the investigation is ongoing, according to The New York Post.
Mercado, a seven-year veteran of the force, has been assigned to cases involving sexual offenses as part of the Special Victims Unit. While the department has not yet determined whether her actions violate official policies, she will not be handling active cases during the review.
In the explicit video, Mercado can be seen twerking on a pole, giving a lap dance, and crawling on the floor while being showered with dollar bills. S-Quire, the featured artist, watches her closely while rapping suggestive lyrics.
Lyrics in the video include: “She’s thick, just want to smash it quick” and “I like the way she doin’ that, the way she sliding up the pole.”
The rapper and the video’s production company, Pitch Perfect, claimed they were unaware of Mercado’s profession. “None of us knew what her main job was,” the director told TMZ.
S-Quire said he only knew Mercado by the nickname “Honeybee.” Nothing in the video identified her as an NYPD detective, but colleagues recognized her once the video went viral.
Mercado’s participation in the video has drawn sharp criticism from current and former law enforcement officials, particularly given her role in investigating sensitive cases.
Retired NYPD Special Victims Division Chief Michael Osgood condemned her actions, stating, “This conduct is unbecoming of a police officer. It is morally wrong, especially for a special victims detective.”
One NYPD detective told the Daily Mail, “I really don’t understand why she would do something like this. We are supposed to be held to a higher standard as role models.”
Another officer simply said, “I have no words.”
Eric Saunders, a former NYPD officer and attorney, added that Mercado’s actions were “inconsistent with the values and professional standards expected from law enforcement.” He urged the department to evaluate her fitness for duty and review any cases she handled to maintain public trust.
Despite the backlash, some in the department argue that Mercado’s actions were unrelated to her professional role.
A source from the police union told The New York Post, “What she did has nothing to do with her job as an NYC detective. She’s not wearing NYPD gear, and nothing in the video identifies her as a cop.”
Meanwhile, the production company behind the video has seen increased demand for Mercado as a dancer and model.
“Everyone loved her in the video,” the director told TMZ, calling her “one of the stars.” S-Quire agreed, describing her as a “beautiful woman.”
“I’ve had tons of artists reaching out, trying to get her in their videos,” Pitch Perfect added. “If you look at it like that, this could be a great opportunity for her. I think she wins.”
As the NYPD review continues, Mercado has not publicly commented on her involvement in the video or the department’s decision to remove her from active cases.
