A New York Police Department sergeant was arrested by Amtrak police after being found engaged in a lewd act inside a bathroom at Penn Station during a targeted operation, authorities said.
Amtrak Police Department officers detained Michael Merritt, 41, on Sept. 3 after the agency carried out a sting at a restroom the department said had a history of inappropriate activity. Merritt was observed masturbating with other men, according to police. The NYPD confirmed the officer has been placed on modified assignment and said the incident is under internal review.
It was not immediately clear whether criminal charges had been filed against Merritt. An NYPD spokesperson did not provide additional details about the internal review or say whether the department's Internal Affairs Bureau had opened an investigation. The Amtrak Police Department referred questions about the operation and any potential charges to its investigative division.
Merritt, who joined the NYPD in 2006, earned $134,000 in 2024, public payroll records show. The department did not release further personnel information, citing the ongoing review. Police agencies often place officers on modified duty that restricts their public-facing responsibilities while inquiries proceed.
Penn Station, a major transit hub in midtown Manhattan, has drawn heightened attention for safety issues in recent years. Last year, a man was found on fire near the entrance to the station and sustained serious injuries; the episode prompted additional discussion about security and emergency response in crowded transit spaces. Amtrak and local police officials have conducted targeted enforcement actions at the station in response to reports of illicit activity in certain restroom facilities.
Incidents involving on-duty law enforcement personnel can trigger internal investigations and, in some cases, criminal or administrative proceedings. The NYPD has established procedures for reviewing conduct by officers, and outcomes can range from reprimands and reassignment to suspension or termination, depending on investigative findings and any charges filed.
The arrest of a uniformed sergeant by another law enforcement agency drew immediate attention from commuters and advocacy groups who monitor police accountability, though no statements from such groups were immediately available. The NYPD and Amtrak Police Department said they would provide additional information as their reviews continue.
Officials did not provide a timeline for completing the internal review or for any potential criminal proceedings. Investigators will determine whether to refer the matter to prosecutors, who would decide whether to pursue charges based on the evidence and applicable state and federal laws.