A Denham Springs Police Officer has resigned after allegations were made against him in Aug. 2022 regarding an inappropriate relationship with a juvenile. Now, warrants are out for his arrest.
The Denham Springs Police Dept. launched an internal affairs investigation into Officer Reid Copeland & he resigned shortly after.
Due to the serious nature of the allegations, DSPD requested that the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office conduct the criminal investigation.
“While this is still an ongoing investigation, we can tell you that the Denham Springs Police Chief Rodney Walker asked us to look into an incident that occurred around the 19th of August 2022,” said LPSO Sheriff Jason Ard. “I’d also like to add that the Denham Springs Police Chief & members of his department have cooperated fully with our investigation & continue to do so.”
As a result of the criminal investigation, an arrest warrant was issued by LPSO for Copeland for felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile and malfeasance in office.
“We also have reason to believe Copeland is no longer in the area at this time,” said Sheriff Ard.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call LPSO at (225) 686-2241 x1 or Capital Region CrimeStoppers at (225) 344-STOP.
Due to this being ongoing an investigation, the DSPD is unable to comment on the specifics of the investigation.
Copeland has been recognized with several awards & honors since he’s been at the Denham Springs Police Dept., including the most recent being “Peace Officer of the Year for Distinguished Service.” It was an award presented by the Denham Springs Kiwanis Club in May 2022 where each law enforcement head recommends an officer/deputy in Livingston Parish to be recognized as the officer of the year.
In Dec. 2021, Attorney General Jeff Landry recognizing Copeland for his actions of going above and beyond the call of duty in assisting a small child in need of care.
“Upon finding in a ditch a 3-year old with no shirt, no shoes, wet pants, and a soiled diaper – Officer Copeland gave the child items from his own home: fresh clothes, clean diapers, a car seat, and snacks. He changed the child’s dirty diaper, clothed him, and made him comfortable without blinking an eye or being asked to do so,” said AG Landry.
Copeland started with DSPD in June 2019.
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