Dear Neighbors,
 
This past Sunday, a deeply troubling series of incidents occurred involving a New Haven resident, Mr. Richard Cox, while he was in custody of the New Haven Police Department.
 
While the investigation into this incident is still in its early stages, I wanted to provide residents with an update on what occurred as well as what actions have been taken to date in response.
 
Responding to a weapons complaint, the New Haven Police Department (NHPD) arrested Mr. Cox on Sunday evening for illegal possession of a handgun, among other serious charges. While Mr. Cox was being transported in a prisoner conveyance van to an NHPD detention facility, the officer driving made a sudden stop to avoid a motor vehicle accident. The van was not outfitted with seatbelts and Mr. Cox suffered serious injury to his neck and spine. Mr. Cox subsequently alerted the officer driving that he was injured and could not move. Upon learning of Mr. Cox’s injury, the officer made a call for medical assistance and proceeded to drive Mr. Cox to the detention center. Mr. Cox made his injury known to other officers upon arrival at the detention facility. The officers involved proceeded to put Mr. Cox in detention - first attempting to do so by wheelchair and then physically moving him to detention. From there, American Medical Response transported Mr. Cox to Yale New Haven Hospital where he underwent surgery. Sadly, Mr. Cox’s injury may result in his paralysis and he remains in critical condition.
 
Having watched the video footage of this incident multiple times, I am deeply concerned by the way in which Mr. Cox was treated, transported and handled by the officers involved in this incident at the detention center. The State Police and New Haven Police Department are conducting full investigations, and we will await their outcome, but I want to emphasize that regardless of what an individual is accused of or arrested for, when they enter the custody of the New Haven Police Department there is an obligation to treat them with dignity and respect – and in a manner that ensures their safety and well-being. I am also concerned that the actions of the officers involved in this incident fell far short of that and do not reflect the high standards to which I know other police officers hold themselves to everyday as they put their lives on the line to protect and serve our residents and to keep us safe.
 
In response to this incident, the City and the New Haven Police Department have prioritized transparency with the Cox family and the public and taken the following actions to date:

• An NHPD internal affairs investigation was opened and the Connecticut State Police, the State’s Attorney, the State Office of the Inspector General were promptly notified and briefed on the situation. The Connecticut State Police have subsequently taken over the investigation and the NHPD is fully cooperating.

• Within 24 hours, Acting Chief Rush-Kittle, Assistant Chief Jacobson and I informed the public of the incident, and within 48 hours video footage of the incident was released to the Cox family and to the public.

• All five officers -- the driver, three officers at the detention facility, and the detention facility supervisor -- involved in this incident have been put on administrative leave until the Connecticut State Police completes their investigation and the City conducts its Internal Affairs investigation.

• NHPD prisoner conveyance vans not outfitted with seatbelts have been taken out of service. NHPD is working to install seatbelts in those vans that do not have them. While the State does not require seatbelts in local police conveyance vans, the City will require them moving forward. In addition, the NHPD is reviewing and will be updating its standard operating procedures and training for transporting arrestees and other related policies to ensure an incident like this never happens again.  

As the investigation into this incident continues, the City and the New Haven Police Department remain committed to the highest degree of accountability and transparency with the Cox family and the public. Further, once the Connecticut State Police completes its investigation into this matter, the New Haven Police Department will move forward expeditiously with appropriate action for all the officers involved.
 
Until then, we hope and pray for a full and speedy recovery for Mr. Cox.

Sincerely,

Mayor Justin Elicker
City of New Haven