Former New Orleans Police Officer Rodney Vicknair is facing more fall out after being dismissed from the NOPD following his arrest and being charged with molesting a teen rape victim.
Now he’s been named in a lawsuit against him and the department, lodged by the mother of the victim.
The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate reports the suit was filed in U.S. District Court in New Orleans.
Running 36 pages, the suit alleges the New Orleans Police knew about Vicknair’s history with ‘problematic behavior’ and allowed it continue.
The plaintiff says this lead to Vicknair grooming and preying on the victim.
The case reportedly began with 14-year old reporting a rape to the department and Vicknair being assigned to drive the victim to the hospital for the collection of a rape kit.
The suit states the assigning of Vicknair violated the department policy because only special victim’s unit officers are to dispatched in such cases.
The suit goes on to state that Vicknair carried on a relationship with the girl, texting and calling her daily and visiting with her while in uniform and driving his police cruiser.
According to the charges, the misbehavior escalated to violence with Vicknair alleged to have struck the girl with his baton and threatening to kill her.
The plaintiff states Vicknair's inappropriate activities were reported by an unidentified person to the department.
Ultimately Vicknair was arrested and charged with sexual battery, indecent behavior with a juvenile, and malfeasance of public office.
Despite repeated complaints, and a five-day suspension in 2009, Vicknair was made a field training officer.
The plaintiff’s lawsuit demands compensation from both Vicknair and the New Orleans Police Department.
