State Police Launch Probe Into 'Misuse of Public Funds' Allegations Against Now-Former New Haven Police Chief

NEW HAVEN, CT — Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin and Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Ronnell Higgins announced Tuesday that the Connecticut State Police have launched an investigation into allegations of misuse of public funds involving former New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson.

According to a news release, the City of New Haven reported the allegations to State’s Attorney John P. Doyle, Jr. Monday. Doyle subsequently consulted with Chief State’s Attorney Patrick Griffin regarding the initiation of an investigation, the news release noted.

Griffin assigned New Britain Judicial District State’s Attorney Christian M. Watson to oversee the State Police investigation "to avoid any potential conflicts of interest," it was noted.

"The investigation remains active and ongoing," officials said, adding that "no additional information will be released at this time."

Original story:

Mayor Justin Elicker and police command staff held a press conference Monday night at New Haven police headquarters to announce the "departure of Police Chief Karl Jacobson in response to allegations of theft and the misuse of public funds."

Without sharing any specific details of an active investigation, including the amount stolen, Elicker said money was taken from a fund used to pay for police informants. He said that the New Haven State's Attorney and the Connecticut State Police are in "discussions on who will lead the investigation."

Elicker appointed Assistant Police Chief David Zannelli as Acting Police Chief.

"Earlier today, I learned that Police Chief Karl Jacobson admitted to stealing from a designated city fund that the department uses to support its confidential informant program," Elicker said.

Elicker said that "several officers flagged irregularities" in the fund used by Jacobson to Zanelli, who along with the two other assistant chiefs confronted Jacobson. And, the mayor said, "He admitted taking the funds for personal use."

Elicker said he called Jacobson into his office intending to place the police chief on administrative leave, but Jacobson instead "submitted paperwork to retire."

"To say it's a shock is an understatement," Elicker said, adding at this point it does not appear anyone else was involved in the theft. "It's a shock to me. It's a shock to the command staff. It's a shock to the men and women of the NHPD, and it's a shock to the community. It is a betrayal of the public trust. No one is above the law."

Zanelli, who was sworn in 2008, said that Monday "has been an incredibly challenging day for us."

"Rest assured, the process does work."

There were little additional details available, as Elicker noted, "It's an ongoing investigation."

Jacobson was hired by Elicker in May 2022. At the time, it was less than two weeks after naming City Chief Administrative Officer Regina Rush-Kittle as acting police chief, and after a near two-month nationwide search, when Elicker said the best person for the job was "right here at home, right here in front of our face."

Elicker said at the time, "The thing that most impressed me (about Jacobson) is example after example of his genuineness and commitment to the community. He shows up after hours. He knows people's names in the community."

In interviews, Jacobson regularly spoke about community policing and its importance.
Jacobson, an 18-year veteran of the NHPD, said when hired that he would "be there" for the community.

"I'm going to be there for you. Doesn't matter what time of day or night, I'm going to be there for you."

He said he'd work to ensure New Haven was a "city with deeper police-community bonds than ever before."