Former New Haven Police Chief Charged with Embezzling $85,000 from Department Funds
Karl Jacobson, the former police chief of New Haven, Connecticut, has been arrested and charged with larceny after allegations surfaced that he stole over $85,000 from two police department accounts. The funds were intended for confidential informants and a youth extracurricular program, raising serious concerns about public confidence in law enforcement.
Arrest and Charges
Jacobson, who abruptly retired from the New Haven Police Department in January, turned himself in on an arrest warrant on Friday. He was released on a court-set bond of $150,000, according to a state prosecutor's news release. He faces two counts of larceny related to defrauding a public community, with the chief state's attorney, Patrick J Griffin, stating that such allegations undermine trust in the criminal justice system.
Details of the Alleged Theft
The state prosecutor's office reported that New Haven city officials first reported the embezzlement allegations on 5 January, prompting an investigation by Connecticut state police. The probe revealed that $81,500 was unaccounted for or misappropriated from the police department's narcotic enforcement fund between 1 January 2024 and 5 January 2026. This fund is specifically used to pay confidential informants assisting in narcotics investigations.
Bank records indicated that checks associated with this fund were deposited into Jacobson's personal checking account. Additionally, two checks totaling $4,000 were withdrawn from the New Haven Police Activity League fund in late December 2025, both found in Jacobson's personal account. Investigators confirmed that no other department personnel were involved in the matter.
Response from Officials and Defense
In January, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker announced Jacobson's retirement, noting that the former chief admitted to taking money from the confidential informant fund for personal use after being confronted by three deputies. Elicker described the allegations as shocking and a betrayal of public trust.
Jacobson's lawyer, Gregory Cerritelli, emphasized in an emailed statement that an arrest does not equate to guilt and urged the public to avoid a rush to judgment, highlighting that this marks the beginning of a lengthy legal process.
Background and Impact
Jacobson served as police chief in New Haven, home to Yale University, for three years, following a 15-year tenure with the department and nine years with the East Providence Police Department in Rhode Island. The case has sparked broader discussions about accountability and integrity within police forces, particularly in larger cities like New Haven.
The investigation continues as authorities work to ensure justice is served, with the community watching closely to see how this high-profile case unfolds in the coming months.
