An NYPD sergeant has been suspended after being caught during an Amtrak Police Department sting in a Penn Station restroom, police sources said.
Sgt. Michael Merritt, 41, was found masturbating with other men during the operation on Sept. 3, according to law enforcement sources. Merritt was placed on modified assignment the day he was detained, reassigned to Brooklyn Criminal Court in NYPD paperwork and later suspended pending an internal review, a department spokesperson said.
The Amtrak Police Department executed the sting in a restroom that had been monitored because of reports of sexual activity there, a police source said. It was not immediately clear whether any criminal charges were filed against Merritt; Amtrak police referred questions about the case to the NYPD.
"The incident is under internal review," an NYPD spokesperson said in a written statement. When reached by telephone, Merritt declined to comment, saying, "I'm not commenting right now. Have a good day," before ending the call.
Merritt joined the New York Police Department in July 2006, and NYPD records show he earned $134,000 in 2024. The sergeant's reassignment to Brooklyn Criminal Court followed the Sept. 3 encounter, according to internal paperwork reviewed by sources familiar with the case.
The Amtrak Police Department conducts operations at Penn Station and other rail facilities to address a range of safety and quality-of-life concerns, including complaints about illicit conduct in station restrooms. Authorities said the Sept. 3 operation targeted a specific lavatory that had drawn repeated complaints.
The investigation into Merritt's conduct is being handled through the NYPD's internal disciplinary process, which can include administrative charges and suspension while inquiries proceed. The department did not provide a timeline for the review or say whether the case would be referred to prosecutors.
Incidents involving off-duty or on-duty officers and alleged criminal or inappropriate conduct typically prompt both internal administrative inquiries and, where warranted, criminal investigations by outside agencies. In this instance, Amtrak police conducted the initial operation and passed information to the NYPD, sources said.
The matter has drawn public attention because it involves a uniformed supervisor and a high-traffic transportation hub. City officials and law enforcement agencies often emphasize maintaining professional standards for officers assigned to public-facing duties, and internal reviews can result in disciplinary action up to termination depending on findings.
The NYPD did not answer additional questions about Merritt's current duties, whether other officers were involved, or whether departmental charges had been drafted. The Amtrak Police Department declined to comment beyond referring inquiries to the NYPD.
Further developments, including any formal charges or the outcome of the internal review, have not been announced.