NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Prisoner transport policy changes in the New Haven Police Department took effect earlier this week in response to what happened to Randy Cox, who was paralyzed while in the custody of police on June 19.
The life of Richard "Randy" Cox, 36, of New Haven, changed moments after the prisoner conveyance van he was loaded into, which had no seat belts, was stopped abruptly, sending Cox sliding head-first into a wall, paralyzing him.
"I want to reiterate that what happened to Mr. Cox was unacceptable and we're committed to making these necessary changes," said Mayor Justin Elicker (D-New Haven).
Among the changes implemented is how prisoners are transported from the arrest site to the detention center.
"These updates include requiring the primary means of transporting prisoners to be in a marked police cruiser," said Elicker.
New Haven's police vans will now primarily only be used to transport prisoners to court, with the exception of times when multiple arrests are made at the same location.
Two of the three New Haven Police vans now have seat belts installed, including the one Cox was injured in. Chief Karl Jacobson and Elicker visited Cox in his hospital room yesterday.
"The first thing he said to me is, he struggled to say, 'I can't talk,'" Elicker noted. "The family said that him saying that was even progress."
"I'm never gonna forget meeting him and him attempting to talk and it was a very emotional thing," said the new police chief. "You know, we are committed to making sure this never happens again."
All arrestees must now be seat belted, whether being transported in a van or cruiser. Officers now must check on the medical condition of prisoners.
"Officers are required to make an initial inquiry prior to transporting and upon arrival at the detention facility during the intake process," Elicker said.
If prisoners request medical assistance?
"The officers must immediately contact their supervisor and request that an EMS be dispatched to their current location," said Elicker, who noted this portion of the new policy actually already existed.
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Officers will be trained on all of the policy changes over the next month and then they will be tested on their knowledge.
Friday at 5 p.m., protestors will begin their march to the police station in support of Cox. The mayor and the police chief said they will join the group when they arrive at the police department.
New Haven Police Prisoner Transportation Policy
Tony Terzi is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at tterzi@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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