JOINT STATEMENT BY MAYOR JUSTIN ELICKER AND POLICE CHIEF KARL JACOBSON ON THE CONNECTICUT SUPERIOR COURT'S DECISION TO REJECT THE REQUEST FOR ACCELERATED REHIBILITATION BY OFFICERS INVOLVED IN RICHARD "RANDY" COX INCIDENT

NEW HAVEN, CT - On Thursday, March 28^th, 2024, Connecticut Superior Court Judge Gerald Harmon rejected the request for Accelerated Rehabilitation by four of the five police officers who were involved in the incident involving Mr. Richard "Randy" Cox. As the result of the denial, the criminal charges brought against them by the Office of the State's Attorney for the Judicial District of New Haven will proceed forward. Following this ruling, Mayor Justin Elicker and Police Chief Karl Jacobson released the following statement:

"The treatment of Mr. Cox while in the custody of the New Haven Police Department was completely unacceptable.

No one is above the law and we believe the ruling by Judge Harmon was the right one. It allows these officers to go through the criminal process and to receive a fair and impartial trial by a jury of their peers for the criminal charges they face related to this incident.

Throughout this process, we have been deeply committed to ensuring that there is accountability for the actions of these officers, including their termination and recommended decertification. We have also been deeply committed to doing everything within our power to ensure an incident like this never happens again, including issuing a comprehensive set of reforms and changes to the police department's policies and procedures on transporting and rendering medical aide to individuals while they are in police custody, requiring department-wide trainings on active bystandership and de-escalation, along with other measures. Finally, the City reached a settlement with Mr. Cox to ensure he is able to receive the medical care and support he needs to live his life and move forward.

Overwhelmingly our police officers hold themselves to the highest standards of professionalism and put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve our residents and keep our community safe. However, when an officer deviates from these high standards like what occurred with Mr. Cox, there must be accountability for their actions and a clear message that those actions will not tolerated by the New Haven Police Department.

PRESS CONTACT:

Lenny H. Speiller; (203) 725-4249; [email protected]