NHPD Fires Female Police Sergeant After Internal Affairs Investigation

NEW HAVEN, CT — Saying the department is "committed to transparency and building the trust of the community," New Haven Chief of Police Karl Jacobson has fired Sgt. Shayna Kendall after an Internal Affairs Investigation.

Kendall made a motor vehicle stop in an unmarked car in summer 2021 and, police said in June, violated a number of department policies. She was placed on paid leave during the internal affairs probe and, at the time, police said the case was referred to the state’s attorney for possible criminal charges.

Jacobson said the department's commitment to transparency also means "holding our officers to a higher standard and demanding that they uphold our most important values of treating the community with respect and dignity and are always truthful."

“If an officer acts in such a way as to undermine the public’s trust in our department, they will lose the privilege to serve New Haven," Jacobson said.

Jacobson said the Internal Affairs Investigation was reviewed by the Civilian Review Board who agreed with his recommendation. The matter ultimately went in front of the Board of Police Commissioners Thursday, and it voted to terminate Kendall.

“It is unfortunate that these events took place and that I had to recommend the termination of a Sergeant from our department, but I am committed to the people of New Haven," Jacobson said,"and to the procedural justice that I hope will build a better bond between our officers and the community.”

WTNH obtained the 86-page report that stemmed from a complaint made by Virginia Hawthorne about a July 2021 incident where she said she was "harassed by a person claiming to be an officer during an incident that began at a traffic light."