New Haven to Update Police Informant Program
Mayor Justin Elicker and Police Chief David Zannelli will present findings of an independent review of the department's confidential informant policies.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker and Police Chief David Zannelli will hold a press conference Tuesday, November 11, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. to update the public on the police department's confidential informant program. The Police Executive Research Forum presented findings of an independent review of the program's policies and procedures.
Why it matters
The review follows allegations that former Police Chief Karl Jacobson misused and stole confidential informant funds, a case in which Jacobson pleaded no contest to first-degree larceny. The results will shape how New Haven oversees informant payments going forward.
Former Police Chief Karl Jacobson pleaded no contest to first-degree larceny last month in connection with theft and misuse of confidential informant funds. The full PERF report has not yet been made public, and Zannelli will submit it to the Board of Police Commissioners.
The players
Justin Elicker
Mayor of New Haven, Connecticut, who is presenting the update on the police department's informant program alongside the police chief.
David Zannelli
Chief of the New Haven Police Department, who issued the temporary Special Order for the informant program and will submit the PERF report to the police commission.
Police Executive Research Forum
An independent research and policy organization that conducted the review of the New Haven informant program's policies and procedures.
Karl Jacobson
Former New Haven police chief who was accused of theft and misuse of confidential informant funds and pleaded no contest to first-degree larceny.
The details
Police Chief David Zannelli issued a temporary Special Order for the informant program that adds accountability measures, increased supervision and enhanced procedures. The department will draft an updated permanent General Order based on the PERF report.
Timeline
Earlier in 2026: Former Police Chief Karl Jacobson accused of misusing informant funds.
Last month (October 2026): Jacobson pleaded no contest to first-degree larceny.
Tuesday, November 11, 2026, 1:30 p.m.: Press conference on the PERF review findings.
Tuesday, November 11, 2026, evening: Zannelli submits full PERF report to the Board of Police Commissioners.
Legal Context
The New Haven informant program review was carried out by the Police Executive Research Forum, which was retained after former Chief Karl Jacobson's no-contest plea to first-degree larceny. The outside review sets the basis for a permanent General Order governing how the city pays and supervises confidential informants.
Residents will get their first public look at how the city intends to police the use of paid informants and how public money spent on them will be accounted for. The changes could affect how police interact with community members who provide information.
The takeaway
Oversight of public funds used for police informants depends on clear written rules and supervision, and New Haven's review of its program is the step where those rules are being set.
What happens next
Zannelli will submit the full PERF report to the New Haven Board of Police Commissioners on the evening of Tuesday, November 11, 2026, and the department will then draft a permanent General Order for the informant program.
Further reading
Explore more New Haven Law Enforcement coverage for context on local police oversight.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WTNH.
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