• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Advertise
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

NYPD officer apologizes for infamous lap dance — but says man wouldn’t experience same grief

Vera Mekuli

Vera Mekuli says she's sorry for the now infamous lap dance, but believes a man would not receive the same backlash. (TMZ)

December 26, 2021
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

Dec. 26, 2021

NEW YORK — The NYPD rookie police officer who has become well-known for actions that were caught on video giving her lieutenant a steamy lap dance at their precinct holiday party, publicly apologized to her boss and his wife.

However, the young cop insisted the video wouldn’t have gone viral “had it been a man doing it,” the New York Post reported.

“I feel like just because, mainly — I’m a female, dressed the way I was, being a rookie ‚— things were different,” Vera Mekuli told TMZ. “Had it been a man doing it, I feel like it would have been more of a joking matter and it would have stayed in-house versus go public the way it did with me.”

Vera Mekuli NYPD officer lap danceVera Mekuli said she was not aware of Nick McGarry’s marriage.

Mekuli, 26, said she “had no knowledge” her boss was married. Therefore, she is “truly sorry” for the consequences of the provocative gyrations, which prompted police brass to reassign 44th Precinct Lt. Nick McGarry to subway patrol, she said.

“I do want to apologize to the lieutenant’s wife. You know, I am sorry, truly I am and I really hope it didn’t cause too much damage in the marriage or in your personal life,” she said. “I know it’s been rough. I’ve been seeing the articles and I’ve been seeing pictures of you guys all over the newspapers as well as mine. It wasn’t meant to be like this. I really had no knowledge of your marriage.”

“It was supposed to be for fun, shits and giggles,” she said. “I feel like I’ve completely ruined, I guess, his picture as a lieutenant, as a boss. I know it doesn’t look good on him at all. But I do apologize.”

Mekuli is usually “the life of the party when it comes down to it,” she told TMZ. Hence, late into her precinct’s holiday festivities she was “dared” by her coworkers to give a lap dance. Therefore, she “grabbed the lieutenant, sat him down” and “did the lap dance,” she recalled.

Mekuli said her bosses at the precinct “feel bad” about the incident. As a result, they’ve allowed her to work from home this week, the Post reported.

“I would love to go back. It’s hard. I feel like there’s just judgment and shame that shouldn’t be there,” she said through tears. “I feel like I shouldn’t be judged, or anything of that sort because of the lap dance that I did when I was off duty not in uniform.”

WATCH VERA MEKULI’S INTERVIEW WITH TMZ


Dec. 22, 2021

NEW YORK — The NYPD rookie police officer filmed giving her lieutenant a sexually suggestive lap dance at their Bronx precinct holiday party has been identified, according to reports.

Vera Mekuli, 26, has been an NYPD officer for less than a year, having joined the police agency last February.

Mekuli was filmed grinding on top of 44th Precinct Lt. Nick McGarry in the Yonkers bar last Thursday, according to the New York Post.

Prior to becoming an NYPD officer, Mekuli worked as a real estate agent in New York City, the Daily Mail reported.

Mekuli described herself as a “highly motivated and determined individual” on her LinkedIn profile, which has since been deleted.

“I tend to go after what I want and I don’t stop until I get it. If I am to fail. I pick myself up and try again,” her LinkedIn bio said, according to the Post.

“Success does not come without failure. I’ve learned at a very young age that success/wealth/opportunities isn’t just given or handed to you, it is earned; earned by hard work and time you put in.

“I have tackled every task, every obstacle, that came before me. I like helping others and I always put others before myself.”

The woman is a Bronx native who attended the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Various media outlets were unsuccessful trying to reach her for comment.

However, her father, John Mekuli, told The Post on Monday that she was “frustrated” over the ordeal.

“She told me, ‘Daddy, I make some mistake,’” he said. “‘I’m very embarrassed about what I did. I embarrassed you and my family.’”

“She cried and cried,” her father said. “She is young. … He is married, the lieutenant. He should know better. I am going to sue them.”

vera mekuliMekuli’s since-deleted LinkedIn profile said she worked as a real estate agent before joining NYPD. (Vera Mekuli/Pinterest)

McGarry was reassigned to the Transit Bureau as the department launched an investigation into the sultry video, sources told the news outlet.

When the report first surfaced, an embarrassed McGarry had to physically restrain his fuming wife outside their home when asked about The Post’s front-page story, which covered the steamy ordeal.

“F–k you!” McGarry’s wife, Melissa McGarry, seethed while trying to charge at a Post reporter and photographer.

She was restrained by her husband, who told her, “It’s not worth it, get back in the car” as she continued to spit obscenities.

“There are other things to worry about in this world!” the wife barked at reporters.

As the couple drove away from their home, the wife took her hands off the steering wheel, flipped off the reporter with both hands and screamed, “F–k you! F–k you! F–k you!” one last time.

Meanwhile, the rookie officer isn’t facing any disciplinary charges, according to The Post.


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: must-readnew yorkNick McGarrynypdVera Mekuli
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

Wilson Castillo Diaz

Migrant arrested for allegedly raping 5-year-old girl

November 2, 2024
National Police Association

National Police Association Stands Against New York State Bill Mandating Personal Liability Insurance for Police Officers

September 4, 2024
South American gang leader

South American gang leader accused of 23 homicides in home country captured following illegal entry into US

August 17, 2024
Eduardo Hernandez

Escaped California convict captured in New York after 13 years on the run

July 1, 2024
Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake arrested for DUI

June 18, 2024
Venezuelan migrant

Venezuelan migrant accused of multiple robberies shoots two NYPD officers during getaway, police say

June 3, 2024
Load More

Latest Articles

I’m Not Broken, I’m Dangerous

July 4, 2025

The Problem with Promotions

June 20, 2025
Melissa Hortman

Former Minnesota House Speaker Assassinated in Attack on Multiple Lawmakers

June 14, 2025

Sheriff: If You Throw a Brick At Our Deputy, ‘We Will Kill You, Graveyard Dead’

June 13, 2025

Former USAID Officer and Executives Plead Guilty in $550 Million Bribery Scheme

June 13, 2025

A Case Study in Federal Corruption and Media Silence

June 12, 2025
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

Protect Your Privacy

JOIN THE FIGHT

BE COURAGEOUS

POPULAR GEAR

Tactical Pants

Tactical Boots

 

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2024 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Advertise
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2024 LawOfficer.com