JOINT STATEMENT BY MAYOR JUSTIN ELICKER AND POLICE CHIEF KARL JACOBSON ON THE CONNECTICUT STATE BOARD OF MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION’S RULING TO OVERTURN THE NEW HAVEN BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS’ VOTE TO TERMINATE OFFICER OSCAR DIAZ FOR VIOLATIONS OF NHPD GENERAL ORDERS RELATED TO THE INCIDENT INVOLVING RICHARD “RANDY” COX
NEW HAVEN, CT – On Friday, January 19th, 2024 the Connecticut State Board of Mediation and Arbitration ruled two-to-one to overturn the recommendation of Police Chief Karl Jacobson and the five-to-zero vote by the New Haven Board of Police Commissioners in June 2023 to terminate Officer Oscar Diaz for violations of General Orders of the New Haven Police Department related to the incident involving Mr. Richard “Randy” Cox. Following these ruling, Mayor Justin Elicker and Police Chief Karl Jacobson released the following statement:
“We are incredibly disappointed and strongly disagree with the ruling by the Connecticut State Board of Mediation and Arbitration to overturn the decision by the Board of Police Commissioners to terminate Officer Diaz for his actions related to the incident involving Randy Cox and for his violations of the General Orders of the New Haven Police Department. We strongly believe the decision to terminate Officer Diaz was the right one, and the city will challenge the ruling by submitting a motion to vacate to the Connecticut Superior Court.
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 and a clear message that those actions will not tolerated by the New Haven Police Department.
At this time, Officer Diaz will not be reinstated to his position, given the motion to vacate along with ongoing proceedings regarding his decertification and pending criminal charges.”
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PRESS CONTACT:
Lenny H. Speiller; (203) 725-4249; Lspeiller@newhavenct.gov
