A Texas law enforcement officer is under investigation after posting a TikTok video in which she joked about writing tickets to every driver she stopped because of this NSFW reason...
Deputy Jennifer Escalera, who serves with Harris County Constable Precinct 5 in the Houston area, filmed herself sitting in her patrol car, smiling as she delivered a rather off-color punchline, The Sun US reports.
“Didn’t get cracked last night, so everyone is getting a ticket,” she said in the now-deleted clip, which quickly went viral.
Although Escalera did not actually issue any citations that day, according to TMZ, the lighthearted tone of the video struck many viewers as inappropriate coming from someone in uniform. The Constable’s Office confirmed to local outlet KRV that internal affairs has opened an investigation, but Escalera will remain on active duty until it concludes.
“Our administration is aware and internal affairs has opened an investigation. We have no other comment at this time,” the department said in a brief statement.
The reaction online and in Houston has been sharply divided. Some residents argued that the comment was unprofessional and damaged public trust in law enforcement. “I think it's really inappropriate and disrespectful,” said Houston local Alex Fitch.
One Instagram user, reacting to a repost of the clip, wrote: “I’m sure she’s joking, but she made a bad choice putting this out there. She shouldn’t be fired, but definitely told to stay off social media when it comes to her job.”
Others took aim at what they saw as an overreaction. “No one can take a joke anymore,” one commenter wrote, while another pointed out the double standard: “Hilarious, everyone getting after a woman making a (possibly bad) joke, but actual police misconduct gets swept under the rug.”
A separate critic focused on professionalism, writing: “People are too comfortable these days putting any and everything online. Decorum is just out the window, I guess.”
The controversy hasn’t driven Escalera entirely offline. While the ticket video has vanished, her TikTok profile still features other posts that reference her career. One shows her morning routine in a “Get Ready with Me” format, beginning with her climbing out of bed and applying makeup before suiting up in full uniform. “A little [get ready with me] to go to work as a female police officer,” she captioned the two-minute clip.
The investigation will determine whether Escalera violated any department policies, but the incident highlights the increasingly fine line officers walk between engaging with the public on social media and upholding the image of impartiality and professionalism their roles require.