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The Connecticut NAACP's president demands change after a New Haven man was hurt in a police van

Body camera footage provided by New Haven Police Department show Richard "Randy" Cox being placed inside a NHPD patrol car after being arrested. Cox was subsequently moved into a NHPD transport van where his neck was broken en route to NHPD headquarters after the driver stopped suddenly to avoid a collision. Cox is in the hospital with no mobility from his chest down and on a feeding tube. Cox was arrested near a block party on charges of criminal possession of a firearm, possessing a gun without a permit and breach of peace.
New Haven Police Department
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New Haven Police Department
Body camera footage provided by New Haven police shows Richard "Randy" Cox being placed inside an NHPD patrol car after his arrest. Cox was later moved into a police transport van where his neck was broken after the driver stopped suddenly to avoid a collision. Cox is hospitalized, has no mobility from his chest down and is on a feeding tube. He was arrested near a block party on charges of criminal possession of a firearm, possessing a gun without a permit and breach of peace.

As we continue to process and follow developments regarding how New Haven resident Richard “Randy” Cox suffered paralysis-inducing injuries in the back of a New Haven police van, Connecticut NAACP President Scot X. Esdaile spoke about the situation on All Things Considered.

He evaluated why he thinks this incident happened, the reaction of New Haven city leaders and how things need to change going forward.

John Henry Smith is Connecticut Public’s host of All Things Considered, its flagship afternoon news program. He's proud to be a part of the team that won a regional Emmy Award for The Vote: A Connecticut Conversation. In his 21st year as a professional broadcaster, he’s covered both news and sports.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

Connecticut Public’s journalism is made possible, in part by funding from Jeffrey Hoffman and Robert Jaeger.