When a police detective signs up for a music video gig, you’d expect them to keep it on the down-low.
But when you’re part of a unit investigating sex crimes and your dance moves go viral, things can get complicated real fast.
That’s exactly what happened to NYPD Detective Melissa Mercado, who’s now facing serious professional consequences after her appearance in a rap video caught the attention of, well, everyone.
From Criminal Investigator To Video Vixen
Mercado, a seven-year veteran of the force and $144,000-a-year 3rd grade detective, was recently featured in rapper S-Quire’s music video “Doin That,” where she can be seen twerking in a thong and skimpy bra.
The video, posted on WorldStarHipHop, quickly made rounds among NYPD officers and has since racked up more than 1.6 million views. Talk about an unexpected career pivot.
According to the video’s director who goes by “Pitch Perfect,” Mercado was hired through a casting agency, and neither he nor S-Quire knew about her day job with the NYPD’s Special Victims Division.
“Everyone loved this model,” the director told TMZ, with S-Quire adding that she’s a “beautiful woman.”
The Department Is Not Exactly Thrilled
While Mercado might be gaining fans in the hip-hop community, her employers at the NYPD seem less than impressed.
Police sources have confirmed that Mercado will no longer be investigating active cases with the Special Victims Division, which handles sex crimes.
An NYPD spokeswoman stated that Mercado’s behavior was “under review,” though they didn’t specify which departmental rules she might have broken.
It’s worth noting that Mercado wasn’t wearing anything in the video that would identify her as a police officer. But in the age of social media, anonymity isn’t what it used to be.
Former Officials Are Speaking Out
Retired NYPD Special Victims Division Chief Michael Osgood didn’t mince words about the situation, saying, “I think this conduct is unbecoming a police officer. I find it wrong morally if you’re a special victims detective.”
Eric Sanders, a retired police officer and lawyer, suggested that Mercado should face disciplinary action. “She should be modified,” Sanders said. “What she did is inconsistent with the values of being a police officer. Police work is a noble profession and it’s supposed to look a certain way.”
A Budding New Career?
Despite the professional setback, Mercado’s video appearance might be opening doors elsewhere. According to Pitch Perfect, she’s become quite the hot commodity in the music video world.
“I’ve had tons of artists reach out trying to get her in their video,” the director told TMZ, adding with a laugh, “If you look at it like that, it might be a great thing for her. I think she wins.”
He also noted that Mercado was “one of the stars” of the “Doin That” music video, which suggests her performance was memorable, to say the least.
Mercado herself has remained silent on the matter and did not return calls from The Post seeking comment.
Whether this unexpected turn of events will end up being a career-ending move or the beginning of an entirely new path remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure – those 1.6 million views aren’t going anywhere.