Alders Advance Zannelli’s Police-Chief Appointment

by Dereen Shirnekhi

Nicole Scott: There has to be a good relationship between the community and the police.

Police Union Prez Florencio Cotto and YPD Acting Chief John Healy, both in support of Zannelli’s appointment.

When 16-year-old Jericho Scott was shot and killed in Fair Haven, his parents Nicole and Leroy worked closely with then-Sgt. David Zannelli as he investigated their son’s death.

While still no suspect has been charged in the case, Nicole and Leroy Scott showed up to City Hall Monday to back the mayor’s appointment of Zannelli to become the city’s next police chief — recalling his consistent support for their family in the 11 years since Jericho died.

“Eleven years is a long time. People forget,” Nicole Scott said before members of the Aldermanic Affairs Committee. “But he never forgot.”

The Scotts were two of more than 20 members of the public who testified before the aldermanic committee Monday in support of Zannelli’s police-chief appointment, pointing to his passion for community policing, his experience in various roles in the police department, and his collaborative nature. Only one person spoke out in opposition.

The committee’s seven alders voted unanimously in support of Zannelli’s appointment, sending his nomination to the full Board of Alders for a final vote.

Zannelli, an 18-year New Haven Police Department (NHPD) veteran, has worked his way up the ranks over the years from officer to sergeant to lieutenant to captain to assistant chief. He has served as acting police chief since Jan. 5, when then-Police Chief Karl Jacobson abruptly retired — and was subsequently arrested — for allegedly stealing $85,500 in public funds.

Mayor Justin Elicker announced in March that he would nominate Zannelli to serve as the city’s next permanent chief. If confirmed by the full Board of Alders, Zannelli’s four-year term as the city’s next top cop would extend through Jan. 31, 2030.

On Monday, the Aldermanic Affairs Committee reviewed that nomination, with its members asking Zannelli questions about his vision for the department and listening to members of the public testify as to whether or not Zannelli should be confirmed.

“I could not be prouder to be a New Haven police officer,” Zanneli told the alders.