You’ve probably seen the clip by now. It’s hard to miss when something like this hits the "WorldStar" or "TMZ" ecosystem. A woman, known in the credits as "Honeybee," performs a high-energy, suggestive routine in a music video. She’s working the pole, twerking, and looking every bit the professional video vixen. But here is the kicker: that woman isn't just a model. She is Melissa Mercado, a 3rd-grade detective for the NYPD.
The internet basically lost its mind when people connected the dots. It’s not every day you find out a Special Victims Division detective—the people tasked with investigating some of the most sensitive crimes in New York City—is moonlighting in a thong for a rap video. It's a weird crossover. Honestly, it feels like a plot point from a gritty TV drama, but it's very much real life.
The Video That Changed Everything
The controversy stems from a music video for the song "Doin That" by Hempstead-based rapper S-Quire. In the video, Melissa Mercado pole dancing isn't just a background detail; she’s a central figure. She’s seen in a strip club setting, wearing a lacy black bra and a thong, performing moves that most people wouldn't associate with a $144,000-a-year civil servant.
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What makes this really interesting is that neither the rapper nor the director apparently had any idea who she was. S-Quire told reporters he just knew her as "Honeybee" and thought she was a "beautiful woman" who wanted to help him execute his creative vision. He was "blown away" when he found out she was a detective.
- The Director: Pitch Perfect (who has worked with Cardi B).
- The Talent: Melissa Mercado, cast through an agency.
- The Setting: A rented-out strip club in NYC.
- The Result: Over 2 million views and a massive internal police review.
Is It Actually Against the Rules?
This is where things get kinda messy. Most people assume that if you're a cop, you can't be a "video vixen" on the side. But the NYPD’s Patrol Guide is a thick book of rules that isn't always black and white.
Typically, an officer needs to file an "off-duty employment application" if they want to make money on the side. If Mercado didn't file that paperwork, she might be in hot water for a procedural violation. However, a police union source recently noted that since she wasn't wearing her uniform and didn't identify herself as a cop, she might not have actually broken any laws.
Still, the "conduct unbecoming" clause is the one that usually gets people. Some retired chiefs, like Michael Osgood, have been pretty vocal. They argue that if you’re a detective in the Special Victims Division, appearing in a video that some describe as "degrading" creates a massive conflict of interest and moral friction.
Career Consequences for Melissa Mercado
The fallout was pretty swift. By mid-March 2025, reports surfaced that Mercado had been stripped of her active sex crime cases. You can't really have a detective testifying in court if a defense attorney can pull up a video of them twerking in a music video to "discredit" their professional standing. It's a harsh reality of the legal system.
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Reassignment Details
She was reportedly moved from the Bronx Special Victims Squad to the 50th Precinct in Kingsbridge. It's a "desk duty" or "modified assignment" situation while the Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB) finishes their look into the situation.
- 2018: Joined the force.
- 2025 (January): Promoted to Detective Grade 3.
- 2025 (March): Video goes viral; reassignment follows.
The Double Standard Debate
There is a whole other side to this story that's playing out on social media. Many people are asking: "Why does it matter?" If a male cop was a fitness model or a semi-pro wrestler on the weekends, would people care as much?
The argument for Mercado is that her personal life shouldn't dictate her professional capability. If she’s "making good collars" and is respected by her peers—which some sources say she is—then what she does in a thong at 2:00 AM on a Saturday shouldn't impact her badge. But the counter-argument is all about public trust. When you work for the Special Victims Unit, your "image" is part of the job.
What’s Next for the "Honeybee"?
Oddly enough, the scandal might be the best thing to happen to her entertainment career. The director, Pitch Perfect, mentioned that his phone has been ringing off the hook. Other artists want the "NYPD Pole Dancer" in their videos. Even some high-end gentlemen's clubs have reportedly reached out to see if she’s interested in making appearances.
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If the NYPD decides to let her go or if she finds the desk job too stifling, she might have a very lucrative career waiting for her in the private sector.
Actionable Insights and Takeaways
If you're looking at this from a career or legal perspective, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Check Your Contract: If you have a high-stakes government job, "off-duty" isn't always truly off-duty.
- Digital Footprints are Permanent: Anything filmed in 2022 (when this was shot) can and will resurface years later.
- Transparency is Key: Filing that secondary employment paperwork might be annoying, but it’s a lot better than getting a surprise transfer to a different precinct.
The story of Melissa Mercado pole dancing isn't just about a viral video. It’s a case study in how the lines between our private lives and our professional identities have completely dissolved in the age of the internet. Whether she stays on the force or transitions to full-time modeling, she’s certainly made a name for herself that won't be forgotten in the 50th Precinct any time soon.
To stay updated on this case, you can monitor the NYPD's official disciplinary database or follow the New York Post's police blotter, as they typically break the first news of Internal Affairs decisions.