President's Office — Attraction in Palo Alto

We would like to raise serious concerns regarding an incident involving the Stanford Department of Public Safety (DPS), which may constitute a violation of civil rights and potential abuse of authority.

A student (or visitor) was detained by officers without clear explanation or any prior attempt at verbal communication or de-escalation. He was then transported involuntarily to another city (Santa Clara) — a considerable distance from campus — and was released late at night without access to his personal belongings, including his phone, wallet, and keys.

He was forced to return on foot in unsafe conditions and was left without a means to contact anyone or access housing. This raises significant legal and ethical concerns, particularly regarding:

Unlawful or arbitrary detention; Use of excessive or unnecessary force; Deprivation of property without due process; Failure to accommodate language barriers and basic procedural rights. Additionally, the incident has caused widespread concern within the international student and visiting scholar community. Many feel vulnerable, especially those with limited English proficiency who may not fully understand their rights or the procedures being used against them.

We respectfully urge that this incident be investigated promptly and independently, and that serious consideration be given to:

Ensuring accountability for the officers involved; Reviewing DPS conduct policies and training protocols; Providing multilingual support and de-escalation training to campus police. This case reflects broader systemic issues that may require structural reform and greater oversight to ensure that public safety actions are proportional, lawful, and respectful of individuals' rights...