After Internal Probe, Chief Recommends Firing Of 4 Cops In Cox Case

NEW HAVEN, CT — Four of the five New Haven cops criminally charged in connection with the Richard "Randy" Cox case are headed toward termination after Police Chief Karl Jacobson recommended they be fired after an internal affairs investigation.

In June 2021, Cox was paralyzed after being violently thrown in the back of a paddy wagon and then manhandled in the jail by police officers Sgt. Betsy Segui, 40, officer Oscar Diaz, 54, officer Jocelyn Lavandier, 35, and officer Luis Rivera, 40 and officer Ronald Pressley, 56.

Pressley retired during the internal affairs investigation, and Jacobson said he would have faced the same fate but "would not see me for discipline." He did receive his pension, Jacobson said.

The Police Commission will hold hearings with the officers with their union lawyers and investigators, then will vote, which is expected by the end of May. The cops can appeal their firings, should the Commission vote to terminate the officers.

After the Connecticut State Police completed its investigation in November 2022, and the State’s Attorney brought charges against the five officers involved, the department’s Office of Internal Affairs began its internal investigation. Jacobson said after IA reviewed the incident in its entirety including interviews — a lot more than just watching the video" — and determine whether the officers violated NHPD protocols and procedures. Once the investigation is complete, I will review the findings and make recommendations as to what discipline may be appropriate.

"If we'd treated him with dignity," Jacobson said of Richard "Randy" Cox, "We might not be here today. This community has gone through a lot, this department has gone through a lot. We will be transparent. We will be accountable. We will hold officers accountable."

Cox, then 37, of New Haven, was arrested on June 19, 2021 at a Juneteenth block party, and then thrown about in a police paddy wagon, resulting in paralysis, according to a video released by the police department. When he arrived at the police jail, and while unable to move, he was manhandled by officers, video shows and the city and police department admit.

Cox is suing the officers and the city for $100 million. His attorney, Ben Crump, issued a statement following Jacobson's announcement.

“Randy and his family are encouraged that these officers are being held accountable for their actions resulting in Randy’s horrific, life-altering injuries," Crump said. "We are hopeful that the city and police department understand that their actions and lack thereof played a critical role in Randy’s permanent and life-changing condition."

Crump said Cox, "Prays every day that he can get into a facility that can provide him the care that he needs to live life to the fullest as a quadriplegic individual.”

Crump, a civil rights and personal injury attorney, said Cox's life was forever changed June 19, 2021.

"These officers were sworn to protect their community," he said, "But they inflicted unnecessary and traumatizing harm to Randy, who will pay the price for the rest of his life."

The following videos contain disturbing images.

A series of disturbing and graphic videos from police body-worn cameras, and other video footage, documenting what happened to Cox, led then-assistant chief Jacobson to say: “I’m not going to sugarcoat this. It looks disturbing. It is. There are things we should have done better. Mistakes were made.”

Arrested by cops on a weapons complaint, police said Cox had a gun on him and was carrying a liquor bottle when they arrested him without incident. Put in a police van to be taken to the detention center at police headquarters on Union Street, while on the way, the vehicle "stopped abruptly" to avoid a possible crash, police said. Cox suffered injuries to his head and spine, paralyzing him.

The video depicts the point when Diaz applies the brakes, going more than 10 MPH over the limit, police said, and Cox goes flying, slamming into the van wall, is graphic and some may find it very disturbing. Diaz eventually stops the van and looks in on Cox, who said he cannot move, and then calls an ambulance to come to the detention center.

This video contains graphic, disturbing imagery

When the wagon arrives at the detention facility for Cox to be processed, he is lying limp in the vehicle, according to the video. Diaz had called for an ambulance, police said, but not to arrive at the scene of the near-crash, but rather at police headquarters, which is a several minutes drive away.

The officers waiting for the van in the sally port assemble to get Cox out of the van, the video shows. Diaz says he thinks Cox may be hurt. And Cox can be heard, softly asking for help.
"Help me. I don't want to die like this."

But according to the video, instead of helping, Segui barks orders at the man who is not moving. She shouts: "Sit up! You’re not even trying! Turn your body. Sit up, stretch out! Come on, or we’re gonna pull you out. You drank too much! Sit up!”

Soon, several officers drag Cox out of the van and try to hold him up, but he falls to the ground.
He’s then placed in a wheelchair and moved to be processed for the charges he faces. In the chair, he slides down to the floor and tells police: "I think my neck is broken."

No medical care is provided.

After being booked, he’s dragged to a cell by two officers and left on the ground with ankle cuffs placed on him, the video shows. Segui can be heard saying, "See? He's perfectly fine."

The five officers were all charged with second-degree reckless endangerment and cruelty to persons.

According to the arrest warrant affidavits, the charges are the result of an investigation by the Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime Squad, per the state Division of Criminal Justice. After being notified by the New Haven Police Department of the incident, State’s Attorney John P. Doyle, Jr. requested that the Central District Major Crime Squad conduct a criminal investigation regarding the injuries sustained by Cox, officials said.

Facts were determined by conducting interviews, reviewing police investigative reports and viewing surveillance videos to include officer's body-worn camera videos, officials said. The arrests are based on State’s Attorney Doyle’s independent review of the extensive investigative materials detailing Cox’s arrest through his arrival at the detention center and to his subsequent transport to a medical facility, officials said.

The warrants for each are as follows:

Segui Warrant by Ellyn Santiago

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Diaz Warrant by Ellyn Santiago

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Pressley Warrant by Ellyn Santiago

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Rivera Warrant by Ellyn Santiago

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Lavandier Warrant by Ellyn Santiago

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This is a breaking news story, refresh for updates.

Read more about the Richard "Randy" Cox case from Patch here >>

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