Former New Haven Police Chief Faces Serious Larceny Charges Over Missing Funds
Karl Jacobson, who served as police chief in New Haven, Connecticut, for three years, has been arrested and charged with stealing more than $85,000 from two critical department accounts. The funds were specifically designated for paying confidential informants and supporting youth extracurricular programs through the police activity league.
Arrest and Initial Court Proceedings
Jacobson turned himself in on Friday following an arrest warrant and was subsequently released on a $150,000 bond set by the court. The chief state's attorney, Patrick J Griffin, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that allegations of embezzlement by a police official seriously undermine public confidence in the criminal justice system.
Gregory Cerritelli, Jacobson's defense attorney, responded cautiously to the charges, reminding the public that an arrest does not constitute evidence of guilt and that allegations are not proof. He described the legal process as just beginning and urged everyone to maintain an open mind while avoiding a rush to judgment.
Discovery and Investigation Timeline
The city of New Haven first reported the embezzlement allegations on January 5, which triggered an immediate investigation by Connecticut state police. The probe uncovered that $81,500 had been misappropriated from the police department's narcotic enforcement fund between January 1, 2024, and January 5, 2026. This fund is exclusively used to compensate confidential informants who assist in narcotics investigations.
Bank records revealed that checks associated with the narcotic enforcement fund had been deposited directly into Jacobson's personal checking account. Additionally, investigators discovered two checks totaling $4,000 that were withdrawn from the New Haven police activity league fund in late December 2025, both of which also ended up in Jacobson's personal account.
Mayor's Response and Internal Confrontation
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker had announced Jacobson's abrupt retirement in January, revealing that the former chief admitted to taking money from the city fund that compensates confidential informants. According to Elicker, Jacobson acknowledged using the funds for personal purposes after three of his deputies confronted him about the financial irregularities.
The mayor characterized the allegations as both shocking and a profound betrayal of public trust. Investigators have confirmed that no other police department personnel were involved in the matter, isolating the alleged misconduct to Jacobson alone.
Career Background and Department History
Jacobson had been with the New Haven police department for fifteen years before being appointed chief. Prior to his tenure in New Haven, he served for nine years with the East Providence police department in Rhode Island. His three-year leadership of New Haven's police force, which serves a city that includes Yale University, ended abruptly with his January retirement amid the emerging financial scandal.
The case continues to develop as legal proceedings move forward, with prosecutors pursuing two counts of larceny related to defrauding a public community. The investigation has highlighted vulnerabilities in financial oversight within law enforcement agencies and raised important questions about accountability mechanisms for police officials handling sensitive funds.
