City Hires Firm To Help Create New Informant Program After Funds Theft, Misuse By Former Top Cop: Mayor

NEW HAVEN, CT—A new New Haven Police Department confidential informant program, along with the hiring of a police research firm to inform the new policy, was announced Thursday by Mayor Justin Elicker and Acting Chief of Police David Zannelli.

Elicker opened a news briefing by explaining how "crucial" the program is for police to "investigate and solve crimes." The CI program pays people who provide "useful and credible information" to police. Elicker said the program has been "critical to our success in reducing crime."

"However, as folks know here, some of the funds were stolen and misused by former Police Chief Karl Jacobson," Elicker said.

"However, as folks know here, some of the funds were stolen and misused by former Police Chief Karl Jacobson," Elicker said.

The chief admitted he'd taken money and on Jan. 5, Jacobson "submitted retirement paperwork."

As reported by Patch, Elicker said Jacobson admitted to stealing from the CI program. 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."

"To say it's a shock is an understatement," Elicker said at the time. "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."

The city reported the allegations to State’s Attorney John P. Doyle, Jr., and the following day, Doyle consulted with Chief State’s Attorney Patrick Griffin, and he 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 is ongoing, state police said.

Following that revelation, the program was shuttered, albeit temporarily.

Thursday, city and police officials said the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), an "independent and nationally recognized leader in police research and policy," was hired to help the NHPD develop a new Confidential Informant policy, in "alignment with nationally recognized best practices."

Elicker and Zannelli also announced a new temporary special order for the confidential informant program to "allow this critical work to restart."

The new Special Order will include "new accountability measures, increased supervision, and enhanced procedures to ensure the responsible oversight and distribution of CI funds," according to officials.

Watch the news briefing here:

Read more from Patch here>>> UPDATE: New Haven's Top Cop Resigns After Allegations Of 'Theft, Misuse Of Public Funds:' Mayor

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