By Tiffany Williams –
New Haven, Connecticut — New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson abruptly retired Monday following allegations that he stole money from a department account used to compensate confidential informants, Mayor Justin Elicker announced.
Elicker said Jacobson admitted to taking money from a city fund that pays informants for assisting police in solving crimes. According to the mayor, Jacobson acknowledged using the funds for personal purposes after being confronted Monday morning by three of his deputies over financial irregularities in the account.
The mayor described the allegations as “shocking” and a “betrayal of public trust.”
“No one is above the law,” Elicker said during an evening press conference at the police station. “We put our trust in law enforcement to uphold the law, not to violate the law themselves.”
Jacobson did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Monday. He had served as police chief in one of Connecticut’s largest cities, and the home of Yale University, for more than three years.
Elicker said he had planned to meet with Jacobson and place him on administrative leave, but instead the chief submitted retirement paperwork effective Monday.
The mayor said it remains unclear how much money was taken or over what period of time, and that it does not appear others were involved. He said city officials are cooperating with state investigators who are examining the matter.
Elicker announced that Assistant Police Chief David Zannelli, who was among the officers who confronted Jacobson, has been appointed interim chief.
Jacobson had been with the New Haven Police Department for 15 years before being named chief. Prior to that, he served for nine years with the East Providence Police Department in Rhode Island.