New Haven swears in new police chief as former faces embezzlement charges
After months with an acting police chief, New Haven officially swore him into the top position.
David Zannelli was sworn in Tuesday as chief of the New Haven Police Department during a ceremony at City Hall, following unanimous approval by the city’s Board of Alders the night before.
“I stand before you deeply honored, humbled, and fully aware of the responsibility entrusted to me as the next police chief of the city,” Zannelli said.
Zannelli’s appointment comes months after former Chief Karl Jacobson abruptly retired in January and later faced charges for allegedly stealing more than $85,000 from the department.
Prosecutors say the money included funds from the confidential informant account and the Police Activity League.
Jacobson has pleaded not guilty to embezzlement charges. Court documents state he blamed the alleged spending on gambling apps.
Since Jacobson’s departure, Zannelli had served as acting chief.
“I think many of us have seen his integrity, his ability to under extreme pressure and extreme challenge, step up to the plate. And that is, one of the things that I admire about Chief Zannelli the most,” said Mayor Justin Elicker (D – New Haven).
The mayor called Zannelli the right person for the job based on various qualifications.
“He’s earned my trust, and I know that he’s earned the trust of many, many other people in this room. He’s got the background, knowledge, experience, respect of his colleagues and the community to lead,” Elicker said.
City leaders on Tuesday said the focus is now on the future of the department and public safety.
Zannelli joined the New Haven Police Department in 2008 and rose through the ranks. At 41 years old, he is among the younger police chiefs in the city’s history.
“One of the top priorities is to continue to mitigate our violent crime, engage the youth, and really tackle some of the quality-of-life problems that, you know, we’re able to pivot back to now that some of the gun violence is under control, that still remains our priority,” Zannelli said.
Mayor Elicker said overall crime in New Haven dropped 23% last year compared with the year before, and gun violence reached its lowest level in a decade.
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