Connecticut State Police and the state attorney’s office have opened an investigation into former New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson over allegations that he stole public funds.
Jacobson retired effective immediately on Monday after he was confronted by Mayor Justin Elicker and admitted to misusing the money, Elicker told reporters.
According to the mayor, a number of officers had flagged irregularities with an account that pays for the city’s confidential informant program. Those officers notified the three assistant chiefs in the department, who then took their concerns to Elicker.
The ex-chief was called into a meeting with the mayor where he was to be placed on administrative leave, but he handed in his retirement paperwork instead, Elicker said. Jacobson became the police chief in 2022, and his contract was set to expire at the end of January.
Officials did not disclose how much money was taken from the account, how long the funds had been missing or what they had been used for. As of Tuesday, there did not appear to be any indication that anyone else was involved in the scheme.
“We put our trust in law enforcement to uphold the law, not to violate the law themselves,” Elicker said.
Assistant Chief David Zannelli has since been appointed as the acting New Haven police chief.
