Former New Haven Police Chief Admits No Contest in Theft Case
WHO:
New Haven Independent - The article concerns an ex-New Haven police chief; it does not identify him by name in the provided text.
WTNH - Karl Jacobson is identified as the former New Haven police chief.
WTNH - Three assistant police chiefs confronted Jacobson about missing funds.
WHAT:
New Haven Independent - The ex-chief pleaded no contest to larceny in a case involving $178,000.
WTNH - Jacobson pleaded no contest to first-degree larceny in an embezzlement case.
WTNH - The missing money was from the police department’s confidential informant fund.
WHERE:
WTNH - Jacobson entered his plea in New Haven Superior Court.
WTNH - The case involves the New Haven Police Department.
WHEN:
New Haven Independent - Sentencing is scheduled for “Jan. 29.”
WTNH - Jacobson retired on Jan. 5, hours after assistant police chiefs confronted him.
WTNH - Jacobson pleaded no contest “Friday.”
WHY:
WTNH - The assistant chiefs confronted Jacobson about missing funds from the confidential informant fund.
HOW:
WTNH - The assistant chiefs confronted Jacobson about the missing funds; the article says he allegedly admitted to the assistant chiefs, but the provided text does not include what he allegedly admitted.
(UPDATED October 23, 2026 21:18 UTC)
Karl Jacobson, the former New Haven police chief, has pleaded no contest to first-degree larceny in an embezzlement case involving $178,000. The money was missing from the New Haven Police Department’s confidential informant fund. Jacobson entered the plea in New Haven Superior Court, resolving the criminal charge without a trial. The case came to light after three assistant police chiefs confronted him about the missing funds. Jacobson retired on Jan. 5, hours after that confrontation. He had allegedly admitted something to the assistant chiefs, though the details of that alleged admission are not included here. His plea is to first-degree larceny, and the case concerns the handling of department funds intended for confidential informants. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 29.