NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A former police chief who suddenly stepped down from his position in January has surrendered to authorities on charges of stealing $85,000 from his own department’s accounts.
Karl Jacobson, who previously led the New Haven Police Department, voluntarily turned himself in Friday on an outstanding warrant. A judge set his bond at $150,000, and he was subsequently released, according to state prosecutors. The charges include two counts of larceny involving the defrauding of a public community.
“An allegation of embezzlement by a police official is a serious matter and potentially undermines public confidence in the criminal justice system,” Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin said in a statement.
Defense attorney Gregory Cerritelli, representing Jacobson, stated he was not yet prepared to address the specific accusations but emphasized that “an arrest is not evidence of guilt and allegations are not proof.”
“This is the beginning of a very long process,” he said in an emailed statement. “I urge everyone to keep an open mind and avoid a rush to judgment.”
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker revealed last month during Jacobson’s retirement announcement that the ex-chief had confessed to taking money from a municipal account designated for compensating confidential informants who assist police in solving cases.
According to Elicker, Jacobson admitted to using the funds for personal expenses after three of his deputy chiefs confronted him about financial discrepancies.
The mayor described the allegations as “shocking” and a “betrayal of public trust.”
Jacobson led the police force for three years in the Connecticut city, which houses Yale University and ranks among the state’s most populous municipalities.
State prosecutors announced Friday that New Haven officials first reported the embezzlement claims on January 5, triggering a Connecticut State Police investigation. The inquiry uncovered that $81,500 had gone missing or been misused from the New Haven Police Department Narcotic Enforcement Fund during the period from January 1, 2024, through January 5, 2026. This fund provides payments to confidential sources who assist in drug-related investigations.
“The defendant had access to money in that fund,” prosecutors stated in their announcement, noting that banking records revealed checks connected to the fund had been deposited into Jacobson’s personal banking account.
Additionally, two checks worth a combined $4,000 were taken from the New Haven Police Activity League Fund on December 23 and 24, 2025. Prosecutors confirmed both payments ended up in Jacobson’s personal account. Investigators determined no other department personnel were implicated in the scheme.
Before becoming chief, Jacobson had worked with the New Haven department for 15 years. His law enforcement career also included nine years with the East Providence Police Department in Rhode Island.
