Her IG: honeyybee28_ | NYPD Detective Melissa Mercado has found herself at the center of a viral controversy after a video resurfaced showing her pole dancing, twerking, and wearing a thong while acting as a stripper in a rap video. Mercado, who works in the NYPD’s Bronx Special Victims Unit, reportedly filmed the video in early 2022 for Long Island rapper S-Quire’s music video, “Doin That.” The explicit scenes, which feature Mercado performing provocative moves in a strip club setting, quickly gained traction online, sparking backlash from her fellow officers and the public. Critics within the NYPD labeled her actions as “dumb” and “embarrassing,” claiming that they compromised the integrity expected of law enforcement personnel.
Amid the criticism, Mercado deactivated her social media accounts but later reinstated them with an emotional post that appeared to address the backlash. In her post, she shared a video from her graduation where her young son was seen cheering her on. Alongside the video, she wrote a heartfelt message: “When you want to give up… remember who’s watching.” Mercado also revealed that she had worked full-time as a police officer, completed her master’s degree with a 3.9 GPA, and balanced being a mother—all while facing intense public scrutiny. Her caption made it clear that she was determined to keep pushing forward for the sake of her son.
The viral incident has reignited debates about the private lives of public servants and the standards to which they are held. While some have criticized Mercado for her actions, others have rallied to her defense, arguing that her personal choices outside of her professional duties should not overshadow her accomplishments. As the NYPD has yet to issue an official statement regarding potential disciplinary action, the situation continues to fuel discussions on social media about respectability, professionalism, and the pressures faced by women in law enforcement.