Former dominatrix fights to keep her job as a police officer

Kristen Hyman is sworn in during a June 8, 2017, ceremony for 27 new officers at the William J. Brennan Courthouse in Jersey City, N.J. Hyman is fighting to keep her job after the department learned that she previously appeared in bondage films as a dominatrix. The Jersey Journal reports that the Hudson County sheriff's officer faces a disciplinary hearing June 27. The department says the videos, produced from 2010 to 2012, have sparked ridicule for the agency.(Reena Rose Sibayan /The Jersey Journal via AP)

Kristen Hyman is sworn in during a June 8, 2017, ceremony for 27 new officers at the William J. Brennan Courthouse in Jersey City, N.J. Hyman is fighting to keep her job after the department learned that she previously appeared in bondage films as a dominatrix. The Jersey Journal reports that the Hudson County sheriff's officer faces a disciplinary hearing June 27. The department says the videos, produced from 2010 to 2012, have sparked ridicule for the agency.(Reena Rose Sibayan /The Jersey Journal via AP)

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) — A newly sworn-in sheriff’s officer is fighting to keep her job after her department learned that she previously appeared in bondage films as a dominatrix.

Hudson County sheriff’s officer Kristen Hyman is accused of conduct unbecoming a public employee and faces a disciplinary hearing June 27, The Jersey Journal reported on Thursday. The department says the videos, produced from 2010 to 2012, have sparked ridicule for it.

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The department suspended Hyman on May 26, six days before her academy graduation, saying she failed to disclose that she appeared in the films and sometimes saw clients privately for money.

Court documents show that Hyman told investigators she never appeared naked and didn’t perform any sex acts in the videos.

Hyman called the videos “stupid stuff I did when I was a kid.” She said that violent acts seen in some recordings, including whipping and kicking, were staged and that she was merely an actress. She also noted that she didn’t use her real name.

Hyman’s lawyers argued that it was wrong to suspend her before a disciplinary hearing. The suspension was rescinded by a judge, and Hyman was sworn in June 8. Her lawyers say she is on modified duty.

Court documents show that Sheriff Frank Schillari concurred with the discipline against Hyman, saying it was necessary to protect the department’s integrity and to prevent her from taking an oath of office “for which she is not entitled.” Schillari declined to comment to the newspaper, citing the ongoing dispute.

Hyman also declined to be interviewed, but one of her attorneys, James Lisa, said she hopes to remain in law enforcement.

“The videos are clearly inflammatory, but there is nothing illegal,” he said.

Lisa said Hyman could be fired at the disciplinary hearing or the matter could be dismissed altogether.

The Hudson County prosecutor’s office declined to pursue any criminal charges against Hyman.

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Information from: NJ.com, http://www.nj.com