Connecticut man paralyzed after hitting head while handcuffed in police van, officials say

5 officers are below investigation after a Connecticut man hit his head whereas handcuffed in a police van and was paralyzed final week, authorities mentioned.

Metropolis and police officers in New Haven pledged to make adjustments after the arrest of Richard “Randy” Cox, 36, saying officers didn’t deal with him with dignity or present him with security after he was severely injured.

Cox was arrested June 19 on fees of legal possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol and not using a allow and different counts.A video launched Wednesday by New Haven police confirmed that as he was being transported after his arrest, Cox slid throughout a bench behind a police van headfirst after the van all of a sudden stopped.

The van’s driver was attempting to keep away from hitting one other car with the sudden cease, NBC Connecticut reported. Town mentioned there are not any seat belts in its police vans.

At a city assembly Tuesday, Mayor Justin Elicker apologized to Cox’s mom and mentioned the incident didn’t stay as much as town’s requirements.

“It doesn’t matter what somebody did or didn’t do doesn’t make a distinction,” Elicker mentioned. “As soon as they’re in police custody, we owe the particular person respect. We owe that particular person security. And we didn’t accomplish that on this incident.”

Within the video within the police van, Cox says after he hits his head: “I can’t transfer. I’m in ache. I actually can’t transfer.”

Shortly after, he seems to inform the driving force he had significantly damage himself. “I feel I broke my neck. I broke my neck. I can’t transfer.”

Elicker mentioned in an announcement Thursday that Cox “alerted the officer driving that he was injured and couldn’t transfer.”

“Upon studying of Mr. Cox’s harm, the officer made a name for medical help and proceeded to drive Mr. Cox to the detention heart,” the assertion mentioned. “Mr. Cox made his harm recognized to different officers upon arrival on the detention facility.”

Different video launched by police confirmed officers putting Cox in a wheelchair on the detention heart after which dragging his limp physique right into a jail cell.

“The officers concerned proceeded to place Mr. Cox in detention — first making an attempt to take action by wheelchair after which bodily transferring him to detention,” Elicker mentioned within the assertion. “From there, American Medical Response transported Mr. Cox to Yale New Haven Hospital the place he underwent surgical procedure. Sadly, Mr. Cox’s harm might lead to his paralysis and he stays in vital situation.”

Connecticut State Police are investigating, and New Haven police are totally cooperating, the assertion mentioned.

5 officers are on paid administrative go away: the van’s driver, three officers on the detention heart and the detention facility’s supervisor, town mentioned.

Elicker mentioned within the assertion he was “involved that the actions of the officers concerned on this incident fell far quick … and don’t replicate the excessive requirements to which I do know different law enforcement officials maintain themselves to on a regular basis as they put their lives on the road to guard and serve our residents and to maintain us protected.”

Throughout Tuesday’s assembly, Assistant Police Chief Karl Jacobson, whom Elicker has tapped to be the following police chief, advised a crowd that he had watched the video again and again and was not happy with what it confirmed.

“We’re all disheartened by what occurred, and I would like justice for Randy, as nicely,” he mentioned. “The great officers, that are most of them, are going to know that they will say: ‘Hey, hey, he’s damage. Get him assist.’”

NBC Connecticut reported that LaToya Boomer, Cox’s sister, was troubled as a result of the video appeared to indicate police taking too lengthy to get him correct medical care.

“You’ll be able to see his head bobbing round. Police then are seen … dragging him round,” she mentioned.

She added: “At any time limit, if somebody is saying, ‘Assist. I feel my neck is damaged. I can’t transfer,’ what number of occasions do they should say it?”

Civil rights legal professional Benjamin Crump, who’s representing the household, requested of Cox at Tuesday’s assembly, “Was he undeserving of humanity?”

Crump mentioned Cox is motionless from the neck down and that he communicates by blinking and bobbing his head, NBC Connecticut reported.

Metropolis officers mentioned New Haven police vans have been taken out of service whereas town installs seat belts.

Officers mentioned that, whereas state regulation doesn’t require seat belts in police vans, town will. Police are additionally reviewing and updating their procedures and coaching coping with transporting anybody who has been arrested, authorities mentioned.