Former New Haven Police Chief Arrested, New Details Released In Embezzlement Case

NEW HAVEN, CT — Former New Haven Police Chief Karl R. Jacobson was arrested Friday on accusations that he embezzled $85,500 from two City of New Haven funds, New Britain Judicial District State’s Attorney Christian M. Watson announced.

Jacobson turned himself in Friday on an arrest warrant and was released on a court-set bond of $150,000, according to Watson. He was charged with two counts of first-degree larceny by defrauding a public community.

UPDATE: Arrest Warrant: Chief Bet $4.4M Online

The City of New Haven first reported the embezzlement allegations to New Haven Judicial District State’s Attorney John P. Doyle on Jan. 5. Doyle consulted with Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin regarding the initiation of an investigation, according to a news release from the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice.

Griffin and Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Ronnell Higgins announced on Jan. 6 that the Connecticut State Police would lead the investigation.

Watson was assigned to oversee the case to “avoid any potential conflicts of interest,” according to the news release.

The investigation found that $81,500 was “unaccounted for or misappropriated” from the New Haven Police Department Narcotic Enforcement Program Fund between Jan. 1, 2024, and Jan. 5, 2026, according to the news release.

“This fund, which is supported by the City of New Haven’s General Fund, is used to pay confidential informants who assist in narcotics investigations,” officials wrote in the news release. “The defendant had access to money in that fund. An investigation of bank records showed checks associated with the New Haven Police Department Narcotic Enforcement Program Fund were deposited into the defendant’s personal checking account.

“Further investigation showed that two checks totaling $4,000 were embezzled from the New Haven Police Activity League Fund between December 23 and December 24, 2025.”

Both checks were found in Jacobson’s personal checking account, according to officials.

“After an extensive review, investigators determined that no other members of the New Haven Police Department were involved or acted as co-conspirators in the misuse of these funds,” officials wrote.

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker had said that after several officers “flagged irregularities" in the fund used by Jacobson and confronted him. Elicker said at the time that he called Jacobson into his office intending to place the police chief on administrative leave, but Jacobson instead "submitted paperwork to retire."

Watson thanked Connecticut State Police Lt. Sebastian Wordell for his “thorough investigation and to Acting New Haven Police Chief David Zannelli and his staff for their full and transparent cooperation throughout the investigation,” according to the news release.

“An allegation of embezzlement by a police official is a serious matter and potentially undermines public confidence in the criminal justice system,” Griffin said.

See also:

• New Haven's Top Cop Resigns After Allegations Of 'Theft, Misuse Of Public Funds:' Mayor
• Arrest Warrant: Chief Bet $4.4M Online