Rodney Vicknair
Service Record
| Agency | New Orleans Louisiana Police Department |
| Rank | Officer |
| Dates of Service | 2007[1] - January 13, 2021[2] |
| Salary | $57,195 (2021)[3] |
| Last Known Status | Terminated[2] |
Incident Reports
2009 Policy Violations
On May 19, 2009, Vicknair was on lunch break and looked up a woman's license plate on the police computer. Vicknair called the woman by name, and told her to come to his patrol vehicle.[4][1]
Response Timeline
The woman filed a complaint with the Public Integrity Bureau.[4]
A departmental investigation found Vicknair had used police resources to look up the personal information and then failed to record the unnecessary stop in his activity log.[1]
Vicknair was suspended for five days for acting unprofessionally and failing to keep accurate records.[1]
2014 Vehicle Pursuit
On February 6, 2014, Vicknair pursued a vehicle, driving against traffic.[1]
Response Timeline
A supervisor determined that the chase should not have happened.[1]
In August 2015, Vicknair was suspended for three days.[1]
2014 Vehicle Pursuit
On March 28, 2014, Vicknair pursued a vehicle at speeds up to 76 mph and drove against traffic for several blocks.[1]
Response Timeline
In 2015, Vicknair was suspended for one day.[1]
2016 Policy Violations
On January 10, 2016, Vicknair responded to the scene of a fatal overdose. The decedent's mother complained that Vicknair and other officers laughed at the victim's condition. A review of body-worn camera footage showed Vicknair telling the victim's girlfriend, "I didn't put the needle in his arm", and threatening to check her for warrants.[4][1]
Response Timeline
On January 15, 2016, the mother filed a complaint with the Public Integrity Bureau.[4]
In August 2016, Vicknair was given a letter of reprimand.[1]
2020 Sexual Assault of "G.H."
In May 2020, Vicknair accompanied "G.H.", a 14-year-old victim of sexual assault, to the hospital to complete a rape kit. Vicknair gave the victim his cell phone number and expressed a desire to be her friend and mentor. Vicknair and the girl kept in touch for several months.[4][5]
On September 23, 2020, Vicknair went to the girl's house, brought her to his patrol vehicle, and sexually assaulted her.[5]
Response Timeline
On September 25, 2020, a complaint was made to the Public Integrity Bureau.[4]
On September 28, 2020, Vicknair was arrested and charged with sexual battery, indecent behavior with a juvenile, and malfeasance in office.[1]
Vicknair was suspended pending an investigation.[1]
On January 13, 2021, Vicknair was fired.[2]
On February 24, 2021, the victim's mother sued Vicknair, Superintendent Shaun Ferguson, and the city, alleging violations of "G.H."'s rights under the Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments, and state laws.[4]
On September 22, 2022, the U.S. Attorney charged Vicknair with depravation of rights under the color of law and kidnapping.[6]
On November 16, 2022, Vicknair pleaded guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.[7][5]
On March 8, 2023, a judge rejected a Vicknair's previous 7-year plea deal sentence, saying that it was not long enough. Vicknair can withdraw the plea deal and go to trial, or accept sentencing from the judge of up to life in prison.[7][8]
On March 14, 2023, Vicknair was sentenced to 14 years in prison.[9]
LEO Ratings
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 Emily Lane, WDSU Investigates: NOPD officer disciplined 4 times before he was charged with sexual battery, WDSU, 2020-10-27
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Olivia Vidal, Former NOPD officer accused of sexual assault and rape of 14-year-old girl, FOX 8, 2021-02-25
- ↑ Rodney Vicknair, Senior Police Officer, City of New Orleans, govSalaries
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Upton v Vicknair, et al, U.S. District Court, 2021-02-24
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Former New Orleans Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Federal Civil Rights Offense for Sexually Assaulting a 15-Year-Old Crime Victim, Department of Justice, 2022-11-17
- ↑ United States of America v Rodney Vicknair, U.S. District Court, 2022-09-22
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Gabriella Killett, Judge rejects 7-year plea deal for ex-New Orleans police officer as too light, nola.com, 2023-03-08
- ↑ Sentencing for former NOPD officer who plead guilty to sex crimes delayed, WDSU, 2023-02-09
- ↑ Former New Orleans Police Officer Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting a 15-Year-Old Girl, U.S. Department of Justice, 2023-03-13
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