BETRAYAL: Police Chief Admits Stealing Money

A police chief who built his reputation by firing corrupt officers just admitted to stealing public money and fled his job in a matter of hours.

Story Highlights

New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson abruptly retired after admitting he stole $10,000 from a fund meant to pay confidential informants
Three assistant chiefs discovered the theft and confronted Jacobson, who confessed to using the money for personal expenses
The same chief who fired four officers for misconduct in the Randy Cox case became the subject of a criminal investigation
Mayor Justin Elicker called it a “shocking betrayal of public trust” and warned Jacobson could lose his pension if convicted

The Stunning Fall From Grace

Karl Jacobson’s career crumbled in a single day. The New Haven police chief who once positioned himself as a reformer willing to discipline wayward officers found himself admitting to theft and submitting retirement papers within hours of being confronted. Mayor Justin Elicker planned to place Jacobson on administrative leave, but the disgraced chief chose immediate retirement over the humiliation of suspension.

The irony cuts deep. Jacobson made headlines in 2022 for recommending the firing of four officers connected to the paralyzing of Richard “Randy” Cox, a Black man thrown head-first into a metal partition during transport. Now the same man who preached accountability stands accused of violating the very laws he swore to enforce.

A Fund Designed for Secrecy Becomes a Cookie Jar

Confidential informant funds exist in a shadowy realm by necessity. Police departments maintain these cash pools to pay sources who provide crucial intelligence, often with minimal paper trails to protect identities. This inherent secrecy makes CI funds particularly vulnerable to abuse, as Jacobson apparently discovered.

Throughout 2025, Jacobson regularly withdrew $5,000 amounts from the fund. The pattern raised eyebrows, but the breaking point came with two withdrawals totaling $10,000 in November and December that he later admitted were for personal use. Assistant Chief David Zannelli, technically responsible for overseeing the fund, watched as his own boss systematically raided money meant for critical police operations.

Internal Courage Exposes the Corruption

Three assistant chiefs deserve credit for putting integrity above loyalty. When they noticed financial irregularities, they didn’t look the other way or hope someone else would handle it. They confronted Jacobson directly on January 5th, demanding answers about the missing funds. Their courage triggered a chain of events that ended a corrupt chief’s career.

Jacobson’s admission of guilt removed any possibility of denial or delay. Mayor Elicker learned of the confession and moved quickly to contain the damage. The New Britain State’s Attorney’s Office now leads the criminal investigation, ensuring outside oversight of a case that could have been buried if handled internally.

The Real Cost of Broken Trust

The $10,000 theft represents more than missing cash. Confidential informants risk their safety to provide information, trusting that police will honor their financial agreements. When chiefs steal from CI funds, they undermine the entire intelligence-gathering system that keeps communities safe.

New Haven already struggled with police legitimacy after the Cox case. Jacobson’s betrayal adds another layer of cynicism about law enforcement accountability. Acting Chief Zannelli insists “the process works” and the community can trust the department, but rebuilding credibility requires more than reassuring words.