Yale Police Officer Charged With Illegally Collecting $36K In Workers Comp Benefits: Chief State's Attorney

Warren Palmer, 59, is "accused of receiving indemnity payments that he was not entitled to" was charged with 1st-degree larceny, perjury: SA

By Ellyn Santiago, Patch Staff

Aug 24, 2026 9:23 AM EDT

He reported suffering rib, abdomen injuries while doing martial arts training, was placed on disability, but documentation showed that while getting payments, he exceeded medical restrictions, could have returned to full-time work: Chief State's Attorney. (Ellyn Santiago/Patch)

NEW HAVEN, CT — A Yale University Police Department officer was charged with illegally collecting workers' compensation benefits, according to the Office of the Chief State's Attorney.

Warren Palmer, 59, of New Haven, was arrested on July 30, by inspectors from the Workers' Compensation Fraud Control Unit. He was charged with one count each of perjury, first-degree larceny, and fraudulent claim or receipt of benefits, authorities said. Palmer is accused of receiving indemnity payments totaling $38,655.94 that he was not entitled to, according to Chief State's Attorney Patrick J. Griffin.

Griffin noted in a news release that according to the arrest warrant affidavit, in November 2025, Palmer reported suffering injuries to his ribs and abdomen while performing martial arts training at the police department's training center.

Palmer was placed on temporary total disability—defined as a wage replacement benefit paid by the employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier while the claimant is unable to perform any type of work due to a work-related injury or illness, Griffin said.

Palmer was later placed on temporary partial disability and began receiving TPD and benefits from the state. According to the Chief State's Attorney, during that period of benefits, the "recipient is considered to have limited work capacity and must inform the employer of any improvements in their injuries ... and are also required to report any income beyond the benefits provided."

Griffin said Palmer received indemnity payments totaling $38,655.94 he was not entitled to.

"Documentation showed that while receiving payments, he exceeded the physical restrictions set forth by his treating physicians and that he could have returned to full duty work capacity," the news release notes.

Griffin said Palmer surrendered himself at the Rocky Hill Police Department and was released on a $10,000 non-surety bond.

Palmer is due in Superior Court in New Haven Sept. 29.