Press Releases
11/28/2022
Five New Haven Police Officers Charged Following State Police Investigation Into Injuries Sustained by Richard Cox
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(New Haven, CT) - John P. Doyle, Jr., New Haven State’s Attorney, announced today that five New Haven police officers have been arrested and charged following an investigation into the injuries sustained by Richard Cox on June 19, 2022 while in the custody of the New Haven Police Department.
The following officers were arrested by Connecticut State Police on warrants charging them with Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes §53a-64, and Cruelty to Persons in violation of Connecticut General Statutes §53-20(a)(2):
• Officer Oscar Diaz
• Officer Jocelyn Lavandier
• Officer Ronald Pressley
• Officer Luis Rivera
• Sergeant Betsy Segui
According to the arrest warrant affidavits, the charges are the result of an investigation by the Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime Squad. After being notified by the New Haven Police Department of the incident, State’s Attorney John P. Doyle, Jr. requested that the Central District Major Crime Squad conduct a criminal investigation regarding the injuries sustained by Mr. Cox.
Facts were determined by conducting interviews, reviewing police investigative reports and viewing surveillance videos to include officer's body-worn camera videos. The arrests are based on State’s Attorney Doyle’s independent review of the extensive investigative materials detailing Mr. Cox’s arrest through his arrival at the detention center and to his subsequent transport to a medical facility.
All five officers were released on $25,000 bonds. They are scheduled to appear in New Haven Superior Court, G.A. No. 23, on December 8, 2022. The charges against Officers Diaz, Lavandier, Pressley and Rivera and Sergeant Segui are merely accusations and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
State’s Attorney Doyle would like to thank Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner James C. Rovella and the Connecticut State Police, particularly the Central District Major Crime Squad investigators, for their work in this investigation, as well as Inspector General Robert J. Devlin, Jr. and his office for their assistance.