Public Safety

Arrests Made in Connection with Unauthorized IDs

July 18, 2025
To Members of the Yale Community

I am writing to let you know about circumstances surrounding an arrest of a Yale student by the Yale Police Department (YPD) on May 2 in Sterling Library. The student’s arrest charges related to copying and possession of unauthorized Yale identification cards (IDs) being used to gain access to red-lit areas on campus.

The safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Duplicating IDs for access to closed buildings could put that safety at risk, so YPD took this matter seriously and investigated. The student was placed on emergency suspension and is no longer on campus.

Our continued investigation uncovered another student who appeared involved in the use of duplicated IDs; that student was arrested yesterday, July 17, and also placed on emergency suspension and is no longer on campus.

The investigation also uncovered additional students and recent graduates who were aware of the activity and may have used unauthorized IDs to enter campus spaces to which they did not have swipe access. The investigation is ongoing, and currently it has not uncovered any additional unlawful activity beyond the duplication of the IDs and the entry into unauthorized spaces.

In an earlier unrelated incident, a person not affiliated with Yale was arrested in April after using an unauthorized ID at multiple Berkeley College entrances.

Yale has identified newer technology to better protect our campus community through improved security and system reliability and has already begun the process of issuing these new IDs and installing updated card readers. The first phase of the updates is focused on residential colleges. Next, card readers across additional campus locations, such as academic and research facilities and administrative buildings, will be updated.

Duane Lovello
Head of Public Safety

 

Procedure for Outside Law Enforcement Presence on Campus

Safeguarding the Yale community’s safety and privacy is a top priority. As has been longstanding practice, outside law enforcement agents wanting to enter campus are asked to first contact YPD. No outside law enforcement officers may access non-public areas of Yale’s campus without a judicially issued search or arrest warrant.

YPD does not enforce U.S. immigration law. In addition, under YPD policies, citizenship status does not affect the department’s interactions with members of the Yale community. YPD officers do not ask about the immigration status of anyone seeking police assistance, including victims or witnesses of crimes.

If students, faculty, or staff encounter any non-YPD personnel on campus, including those from immigration enforcement (ICE), they should ask for their credentials and request that they wait in a public area for the YPD to arrive.

Please then immediately call 203-432-4400, the YPD main line, so that officers can assist with this matter.

The Yale Police Department (YPD) recently audited its policies to ensure continued compliance with the Connecticut TRUST Act and recent guidance from the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council.

Additional Information

Recent Immigration Actions and Updates
Guidance for Contacts with Law Enforcement

Public Safety Policy - Camera Footage and Access Control Records Management and Retention