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Old February 2, 2009, 03:35 PM   #14
oldkim
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Join Date: December 5, 2008
Location: Renton, WA
Posts: 462
Infor on Washington State

Posted from the Seattle PI Newspaper

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/s...ves/158118.asp


Q: Can people really make a citizen's arrest, or is that an urban legend?

A: People can make a citizen's arrest, but it's not encouraged because of the risk of injury or litigation.

"A citizen may arrest another person for a crime committed or attempted," Seattle police spokesman Jeff Kappel said. "But you must have probable cause to believe the person did the crime."

There are several dangers with performing a citizen's arrest.

How do you restrain someone you've apprehended? How do you call for help once you've done so? Is it clear to the person you're arresting that you're making a citizen's arrest and not assaulting them? And if the suspect becomes violent, how will you protect yourself?

Police operate under what officers call the color of law. Patrol officers have a uniform and car. Detectives still carry a badge and identification card.

Officers go through hours of training, wear bulletproof vests and are armed. Even if a citizen does have some of those three components, officers at several departments believe things will be more difficult for someone who is not a sworn member of a police force.

"We appreciate people's good intentions, but we'd rather you be a good witness," Kappel said. "Walk us to the problem, and we'll take care of it."
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