Without a warrant, who may arrest a person found committing an indictable offence?

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Multiple Choice

Without a warrant, who may arrest a person found committing an indictable offence?

A private person who witnesses someone committing an indictable offence may arrest them without a warrant. This is the citizen’s arrest concept: when you actually see the crime in progress, you’re allowed to detain the person briefly and then hand them over to the police. Use of reasonable force, and a prompt transfer to authorities, are important safeguards. This isn’t limited to police alone, so the idea that only peace officers can arrest is incorrect. It’s also not correct to say a private person cannot arrest. And the arrest isn’t restricted to a public place—the key factor is that the person is found committing the offence, not the location.

A private person who witnesses someone committing an indictable offence may arrest them without a warrant. This is the citizen’s arrest concept: when you actually see the crime in progress, you’re allowed to detain the person briefly and then hand them over to the police. Use of reasonable force, and a prompt transfer to authorities, are important safeguards.

This isn’t limited to police alone, so the idea that only peace officers can arrest is incorrect. It’s also not correct to say a private person cannot arrest. And the arrest isn’t restricted to a public place—the key factor is that the person is found committing the offence, not the location.

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