In Role As Acting Chief Since Former Top Cop Resigned Amid Theft Charges, Mayor Taps Zannelli As Police Chief

NEW HAVEN, CT — Mayor Justin Elicker Wednesday named David Zannelli as his nominee to serve as the next permanent chief of police of the New Haven Police Department.

Elicker appointed Zannelli as acting police chief in January after now-former police chief Karl Jacobson resigned after admitting to stealing from the department's confidential informant fund.

Zannelli's nomination is subject to confirmation by the New Haven Board of Alders.

Here's Elicker's statement:

Every day the men and women of the New Haven Police Department are doing outstanding work to keep our residents and community safe, and I am proud to nominate David Zannelli to serve as the next chief of police for New Haven.

An 18-year veteran of the New Haven Police Department, David Zannelli has dedicated his life to keeping the Elm City safe and has steadily risen through the ranks to earn the respect and admiration of his fellow officers and the community.

As assistant chief and currently as acting chief, he has stepped up to help lead the police department through a period of great progress in reducing crime and a period of real challenge during an unexpected leadership change.

I’m confident that David Zannelli will lead the New Haven Police Department with professionalism, integrity, and fairness in the pursuit of safety and justice for our residents, and I’m hopeful the Board of Alders will approve his appointment as our next police chief.

Jacobson faces 2 felony charges for an alleged $85K theft

Jacobson was arrested in late February, accused of embezzling $85,500 from two City of New Haven funds. He was charged with two counts of first-degree larceny by defrauding a public community.

The investigation found that $81,500 was stolen from the CI fund. And Jacobson is accused of embezzling $4,000 from the Police Activity League Fund between December 23 and December 24, 2025.

In January, Elicker 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."

"I'm confident he'll lead the NHPD with professionalism, integrity, and fairness in pursuit of safety and justice for residents.