Everyone knows office romances can get messy — but they’ve got nothing on a bizarre case involving four US cops who found themselves in the midst of a “love rectangle”.

The scandal began last year when New York Police Department sergeant Kandou Worley started an affair with fellow officer and subordinate Stephanie Gallardo.

There was just one problem — Sgt Worley already had a girlfriend, Tyeis Coppin, who also worked as a union delegate for the force, while Ms Gallardo is married to fellow cop Cristian Gallardo.

According to the New York Post, the cheating lovers were busted after Ms Coppin found pictures on his mobile phone of Sgt Worley and Ms Gallardo together.

The photos show the couple hugging and caressing each other.

In one, a topless Sgt Worley is seen kissing a wet-haired Ms Gallardo on the cheek, while in another, Ms Gallardo’s head is nestled on Sgt Worley’s chest.

Ms Coppin, 41, allegedly retaliated by posting the photos on her boyfriend’s Instagram account to expose the affair during a moment of rage.

She accompanied the snaps with captions such as “I told my girl I loved her 10 mins b4 I f***ed this one” and “She’s someone’s wife, she’s not my girl tho. I have one and this is not her!!!!”, the Post reported.

The NYPD discovered the photos in late December and called Ms Gallardo in for questioning.

According to the Post, she admitted to having a “personal relationship” with Sgt Worley in late 2018 but also claimed to have separated from her husband, although the pair still live together.

However, she also claimed the relationship was not sexual in nature.

“With the exception of kissing while together off-duty on a number of occasions, the relationship (with Sgt Worley) was not intimate”, the Post reported Ms Gallardo as saying.

Nevertheless, all four had their weapons seized by the NYPD as a precaution, with their superiors fearing the sordid affair could lead to violence.

A report from December 30 seen by the Post revealed nine handguns were confiscated under the Patrol Guide, which allows firearms to be seized in situations involving “stress as a result of family or other situations”.

The confiscated weapons included Sgt Worley’s four 9mm handguns and Ms Gallardo’s three 9mm handguns, while one 9mm handgun was taken from both Mr Gallardo and Ms Coppin.

A source told the publication there were fears of “the potential for violent outcomes due to the sensitive nature of infidelity and everyone having access to guns”, although no specific threats were made.

However, all four have now been given their guns back and have been returned to duty, as relationships between law enforcement employees are not banned by the force.

The New York Daily Newsreported Ms Gallardo married her husband in 2014, with the former couple sharing a young daughter.

Sgt Worley, 40, Ms Gallardo, 33, and Mr Gallardo, 28, work together in the NYPD’s strategic response group, which deals with terror attacks, civil unrest and other large-scale emergencies.

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