State board upholds decision to fire New Haven officer involved in Randy Cox case

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — City of New Haven officials are applauding a state decision that will bar an officer involved in the case of a man who became paralyzed while in police custody from getting her job back.

“We are pleased that the Connecticut State Board of Mediation and Arbitration voted to uphold the New Haven Board of Police Commissioners’ decision to terminate former police sergeant Betsy Segui for her actions related to the incident involving Randy Cox and for her violations of the General Orders of the New Haven Police Department,” a joint statement from Mayor Justin Elicker and Police Chief Karl Jacobson said. “Ms. Segui’s actions were completely unacceptable and inconsistent with the high standards and professionalism of the New Haven Police Department and that our police officers demonstrate every day in keeping our residents and city safe.”

Segui, along with Oscar Diaz, Jocelyn Lavandier, Luis Rivera and Ronald Pressley, have been charged with negligent cruelty to person and reckless endangerment. They have pleaded not guilty.

The officers were charged for failing to intervene when it was clear that Richard “Randy” Cox was injured in the back of a police van in 2022 after Diaz slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting a car. Cox, who was not properly secured, hit his head on a metal barrier, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down.

“When a police officer deviates from these high standards, there must be accountability and a clear message that those actions will not be tolerated,” the statement from the city reads. “That’s exactly what happened with Ms. Segui and the decision to terminate her was the right one for the integrity of the police department, the Cox family, and the community.”

The New Haven Board of Police Commissioners voted last year to terminate Sequi, Diaz, River and Lavandier. Pressley retired, and is not subject to punishment by the board.

Earlier this year, the arbitration board with the Connecticut Department of Labor ruled that Diaz should get his job back.

The City of New Haven has agreed to pay a $45 million settlement to Cox .

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