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In a shocking incident that left a man paralyzed while in police custody, two cops in Connecticut were fired on Wednesday night.

The incident, which occurred in June 2022, involved Richard "Randy" Cox, who suffered a severe neck injury when the police van abruptly braked.

With his hands cuffed behind his back and no seat belts, Cox's pleas for help were met with disbelief and mockery by several officers.

Cops fired : Unacceptable Conduct and Criminal Charges

The internal affairs investigation revealed the officers' appalling behavior toward Cox. Upon arriving at the police station, they incorrectly accused him of being drunk, dragging him out of the van by his feet.

The New Haven Police Commission, after suspending and criminally charging four officers, took the decisive step of firing officers Jocelyn Lavandier and Luis Rivera.

City Mayor Justin Elicker expressed his unequivocal disapproval, stating that Cox's treatment was unacceptable.

City Police Commissioners' Vote and Criminal Charges

The City of New Haven took action against the officers responsible for Cox's paralysis. The commissioners voted to dismiss Lavandier and Rivera for their reckless actions, which violated various officer conduct rules, including trustworthiness and respect.

This decision was accompanied by criminal charges against the two officers, as well as three others involved in the incident.

Delayed Accountability and Pending Cases

While four commissioners voted in favor of the terminations, two abstained due to their absence from the hearings.

Additionally, the decision regarding the potential firing of two other officers involved in Cox's detention was postponed.

Lavandier and Rivera's lawyer was contacted for comment but did not respond.

Cops fired : Heart-Wrenching Pleas and Negligent Treatment

Cox's cries for help reverberated through the police station as he lay paralyzed. In a video captured by the police, he desperately implored, "I can't move. I'm going to die like this. Please, please, please help me." Internal affairs investigators determined that Lavandier and Rivera callously dragged Cox, mocked him, and falsely accused him of being drunk while he remained paralyzed.

Paralyzed and Seeking Justice

As a result of the incident, Cox suffered paralysis from the chest down and initiated a $100 million lawsuit against the officers and the city.

Five officers, including Lavandier and Rivera, faced criminal charges for their alleged mistreatment and neglect of Cox, who had been initially arrested on gun-related allegations that were later dismissed. The criminal cases are currently pending.

Outrage and Controversy

The case has ignited widespread outrage, with civil rights advocates, including the NAACP, expressing their concerns.

Comparisons have been drawn to the Freddie Gray case in Baltimore, as both incidents involved the mistreatment of Black individuals in police custody.

Cox's race, along with the majority of the arrested officers being Black or Hispanic, further fueled the controversy.

Cops fired : Calls for Accountability and Reforms

Police Chief Karl Jacobson recommended the termination of Lavandier, Rivera, and two other officers involved in the incident. However, their lawyers argued against their firing, asserting that they were scapegoats for the department's inadequate training and policies.

The retirement of Ronald Pressley, another officer charged in the case, exempted him from internal discipline.

Lessons Learned and Policy Changes

In response to the tragic incident, the New Haven Police Department announced significant reforms.

One such reform includes ensuring that all prisoners wear seat belts during transportation. The state Senate also took action by passing a bill that requires seat belts for all prisoners being transported, spurred by the Cox case.