NEW HAVEN, CT – Mayor Justin Elicker released the following statement in response to the New Haven Board of Alders unanimous vote this evening approving Karl R. Jacobson as the next Chief of Police for the New Haven Police Department:

"For the last fifteen years, Karl Jacobson has served the City of New Haven with distinction, and I am confident he is the right person to lead the New Haven Police Department at this critical time.

A top priority for all New Haven residents is public safety. Karl Jacobson and I share a similar vision for the New Haven Police Department: one that utilizes community-based policing, one of deep respect and partnership with the community, and one of a holistic approach to public safety that moves beyond a policing-only paradigm. While we’ve made notable progress on all these fronts, we also know we have much more work to do – especially in light of recent events – and I am confident that Karl Jacobson is the leader to help us get there.

As we saw in the public testimony at last week’s committee hearing and in today’s unanimous vote by the full Board of Alders, Karl Jacobson is deeply respected and supported by both the New Haven community and the New Haven Police Department. I am confident that, building on that trust, Karl Jacobson will be able to provide the police department with the long-term leadership that both our residents and officers need and deserve. 

I am grateful to the Board of Alders for their vote of approval, and I look forward to swearing-in Karl Jacobson as New Haven’s next Chief of Police.

###

(Note: More on Karl Jacobson nomination, background and experience can be found here.)