HOUSTON – A Houston police officer who was previously fired over a violent 2019 arrest has returned to the force with substantial back pay, earning nearly a quarter-million dollars last year — more than the police chief himself.
Officer Lucas Vieira earned approximately $40,000 more than former Police Chief Troy Finner last year, following his reinstatement to the Houston Police Department. The reinstatement came after his termination was overturned, in part, on procedural grounds.
The officer’s return to duty stems from a controversial July 7, 2019 traffic stop incident captured on body camera footage. During the incident, Vieira was recorded instructing another officer to shoot a handcuffed suspect who was attempting to flee. The suspect, 33-year-old Aundre Howard, had been initially stopped for an expired registration.
Body camera footage from the incident showed Vieira later repeatedly striking Howard with handcuffs during the arrest.
Despite the severity of the incident, no immediate action was taken. “The first review of the incident, he was completely justified in what took place. But then someone saw video, didn’t like it. Therefore, they opened the investigation up and went through it again,” said Doug Griffith, Houston Police Officers’ Union representative.
Criminal charges against Vieira for aggravated assault by a public servant were ultimately dismissed when the District Attorney’s office filed charges after the two-year statute of limitations had expired. The DA’s office, when asked about the missed deadline, declined to comment, noting the case was handled during a previous administration.
Vieira’s reinstatement was largely secured through legal technicalities. The city failed to take disciplinary action within the state-mandated 180-day window for protected public servants, invalidating his termination.
“You violate the state law, therefore he gets his job back,” Griffith explained.
The police union maintains that Vieira has returned to duty with a positive attitude. “He’s doing a great job, he works hard, he comes to work, he is not bitter about being terminated or anything like that,” Griffith said. “He comes to work every day and has been trying to make the city of Houston safer with the project that he is working on.”
However, civil rights groups, including LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens), have expressed concerns about Vieira’s reinstatement. During the pandemic, LULAC leaders held a press conference, calling for Vieira’s firing.
Mayor John Whitmire declined to comment on Vieira’s reinstatement. The city has not provided information about the frequency and reasons for officer reinstatements, initially stating they don’t have the requested information.