Which statement best describes the power to interfere when witnessing a breach of the peace?

• A. Interference is not authorized.
• B. Detention to extract information from the offender.
• C. Interfere to prevent the breach and detain the offender for delivery to a peace officer.
• D. Only police may interfere.

Answer: (C)

When you witness a breach of the peace, you can act to prevent the disturbance and hold the offender briefly until a peace officer can take custody. This captures both stopping the immediate harm and ensuring the person is delivered to authorities. Detaining someone to extract information isn’t appropriate because the purpose of intervention is to prevent the breach and hand the offender over to a police officer, not to compel information. It’s not true that only police may interfere, since a bystander may intervene to prevent harm, provided their actions are reasonable and safe.