Global Courant
Two police officers charged with their alleged involvement in the arrest of Randy Cox — a black man who became paralyzed while in police custody — were fired from the New Haven Police Department on Wednesday for their behavior during the June 19, 2022, incident.
According to the City of New Haven, four of the six members of the New Haven Board of Police Commissioners voted to fire officers Jocelyn Lavandier and Luis Rivera. Two members abstained from voting.
“This is an absolute rush to judge,” Lavandier’s attorney, Dan Ford, told ABC News in a statement Thursday. “The city should have at least waited until the legal process was over before firing Officer Lavandier.”
Rivera’s lawyers did not immediately respond to ABC News’ requests for comment.
Lavandier and Rivera are among five officers charged on November 28, 2022, for their involvement in the arrest of Richard “Randy” Cox, who was left paralyzed from injuries sustained while in New Haven police custody.
Randy Cox’s family and lawyers hold a press conference on November 29, 2022 after five police officers were charged over an incident that left Cox paralyzed.
WTNH
Cox’s attorney, Jack O’Donnell, told ABC News in a phone interview Thursday that Cox is “happy” with the commission’s decision to fire the officers, but that their release is “long overdue.”
“It seems way too long for (Randy’s) taste, but we’re thankful for the outcome,” said O’Donnell.
The vote to fire the officers came at a special meeting on Wednesday to consider the recommendation of New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson to fire four of the officers involved in the incident: Lavandier, Rivera, Oscar Diaz and Betsy Segui.
Ronald Pressley, who was also charged in the incident, had since retired from the police force.
Jacobson said in March his recommendation came after an internal investigation and hearings that provided enough information to pursue termination.
“I think there should be an end to waiting for the conclusion of criminal cases; that’s one of the things the community has asked us to do,” he said.
The board’s vote on Jacobson’s recommendation to terminate Segui and Diaz was delayed until June 28 because the officer’s attorneys were unavailable, the city said.
In this image, taken from a police camera video provided by the New Haven Police Department, Richard “Randy” Cox, center, is pulled from the back of a police van and placed in a wheelchair after being detained by the New Haven Police Department. Haven on June 19, 2022. in New Haven, Conn.
New Haven Police via AP, FILE
Gregory Cerittelli, the attorney representing Segui, told ABC News in a statement Thursday that Sgt. Segui is “still employed by the City of New Haven, but I have every reason to believe that the Police Commission will fire her.”
“There is absolutely no due process for these officers at police commission hearings in general, and especially in New Haven. The only thing missing from that room is a large marsupial,” he added.
Cerittelli told ABC News in January 2023 that the “job of a police officer has become increasingly difficult in recent years”.
“Police officers often have to use their best judgment when assessing situations, and are now judged with the benefit of 20/20 in hindsight. Our Supreme Court has consistently held that this is not the appropriate standard,” he added.
ABC News has contacted the New Haven Police Department for further comment.
Lawyers representing Diaz and Pressley did not immediately respond to ABC News’ requests for comment.
Officers arrested Cox on June 19, 2022 for criminal possession of a firearm and violation of public order. Surveillance footage shows the officers then placing Cox in the back of a police van without seatbelts. During an abrupt stop, Cox was slammed headfirst into the rear wall of the van.
Video shows that although Cox repeatedly called for help and said he was unable to move, officers did not immediately give him medical attention and reportedly assumed he was drunk when they arrived at the police station.
The video footage also shows the officers dragging Cox by the feet and throwing him into a wheelchair, which his lawyers say could aggravate his already life-threatening injuries.
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said in a rack on Wednesday that what happened to Cox was “unacceptable” and that the board’s decision to fire the officers is “another important step” in the city’s commitment to provide “accountability, transparency and action” to the Cox’s family.
“When an individual comes into the custody of the New Haven Police Department, it is a duty to treat them with dignity and respect and in a manner that ensures their safety and well-being,” Elicker said. “In my opinion, the actions of these officers fell far short of that obligation, and they do not reflect the high standards our police officers hold every day as they risk their lives to protect and serve us. residents and keep our community safe.”
LaToya Boomer, sister of Randy Cox, speaks out at a press conference after five New Haven police officers were charged over an incident that left Cox paralyzed.
WTNH
O’Donnell said that as the incident’s one-year anniversary approaches, “(Randy’s) is as good as can be expected,” but “has his moments where he’s particularly sad.”
“He is almost paralyzed and will be confined to a wheelchair with no real quality of life,” he said.
In June 2022, all five officers have been placed on paid administrative leave. And in October 2022, all charges against Cox were dropped, according to the New Haven Superior Court Clerk’s Office.
New Haven state attorney John P. Doyle, Jr. announced on November 28, 2022, that each of the officers was charged with one charge of second-degree reckless endangerment and one charge of cruelty to persons. Both charges are misconduct.
The officers were each released on $25,000 bail and pleaded not guilty at a January 11 hearing.
Cox filed a $100 million federal lawsuit against the City of New Haven and officers of the New Haven Police Department in September 2022. In court documents, all of the defendants have denied wrongdoing.
Elicker announced on December 5, 2022 that Cox’s legal team and all parties named in the lawsuit have agreed to continue settlement negotiations.
“Maybe a financial settlement will provide (some) comfort, but I don’t know anyone (who) would ever take money in exchange for the loss of mobility,” O’Donnell said.
