can i make a citizens arrest on a police officer?

Question

im just sayin, they're always speeding and turning on their lights to get around traffic and then they cut them off and coast. when they pull you over and you ask them why and they have no reason. then they bring you back your information and tell you to leave. i want to citzen arrest one of them , would it be taken seriously.

Answer 1

It should be taken VERY seriously, but most people accept the fact that police endanger people all the time in irresponsible fashion. We can thank shows such as Walker Texas Ranger and COPS for desensetizing us to their actions. They aren't supposed to carry vendettas, but sadly they do all the time. And usually the people who want to be cops the most were picked on while they were school-aged and are now out to "show the world who's boss". Therefore I wouldn't recommend it.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Yes you can arrest a police officer. . But they have to be using excessive force or seriously abusing his/her power. If you have to call 911 and ask them to bring a Supervisor down and then ask them to bring a different agency to the scene. You should have another jurisdiction file the report. Once a different agency is involved they cant cover it up that easy. Make sure you have a copy of the reports, and above all else don't give up any evidence like the tape or chip. If you can upload it to a website do that. Make a copy of it. .

A police officer is not above any law. They may think that they are. They have higher standards then a citizens.

In Some states (like Florida) Local , County, and state police actually ticket, arrest and file complaints on each other. So don't think cops get away with it. .

Answer 4

I don't know what Josh is smoking, but yes. You absolutely CAN effect a citizens arrest on ANY individual within the United States. Including Police Officers. But arresting even a private citizen is dangerous, physically and legally, and dicey at best. Make sure you have proof, video and audio recording is advised. And make sure you follow the law, you can't just say you're arresting someone (especially a cop) and use physical force.



Notify them that you are placing them under citizens arrest and request a supervisor. Do NOT attempt to physically detain an officer. While it may be technically legal, there's too much risk to your freedom and safety. If it's local Police, contact the County Sheriffs office or the State Patrol; it's best to file your complaint/make your arrest through another department. Makes it more difficult for the to wiggle out of it.



Know that traffic infractions are not considered 'arrest-able offences', the most you can do is request a supervisor and notify them of the problem, and that you would like to issue a citation (Yes, you can do that too.) Use caution my friend, arresting anyone, like I said, is dicey. An Officer? Very very risky. Makes sure it's absolutely necessary.

Answer 5

Absolutely not !! I'm telling you this as a Police Officer myself. What you can do is be a good witness and go directly to the police station and speak to a supervisor on duty and let him know what happened. Most patrol cars have video in them, they should review this to see if a crime has been committed. Also follow up on the complaint and if you feel nothing has been done there is always the city attorney you can speak with. Also the handcuff thing would be the biggest mistake you could ever make, you would be charged with assault, and probably get you tased.

Answer 6

Pulling you over without cause is an automatic felony! See title 18 u.s.c section 242 on the FBI website. Unlawfully detaining an individual violates a constitutional right to travel. And since all officers carry a service weapon while committing a felony it is an automatic 10years in Federal Prison. Most states have a penal code for citizens arrest. google it for your state. You can always use your authority under the Nineth Amendment as well.

Answer 7

First of all, turning on roof lights unnecessarily would not be considered an arrestable offence. You also can't arrest someone for doing their job.



If you tried to arrest a police officer for one of the things listed in your question it would be considered an assault and you would be the one getting arrested. So the answer is yes, it would be taken very seriously by the officer.

Answer 8

You cannot arrest anyone for a traffic violation. No, it would not be taken seriously. You'd be known as Gomer Pyle for the rest of your days.



All states other than North Carolina permit citizen arrests if a FELONY crime is witnessed by the citizen carrying out the arrest, or when a citizen is asked to help apprehend a suspect by the police.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen's_arrest

Answer 9

Angel D



You cannot make a citizen's arrest for a traffic violation.

AND CGIV76 is right





Note to Josh:



An off duty cop is STILL certified as a police/peace officer and an off duty arrest is NOT a citizen's arrest.



A citizen's arrest is an arrest made by a person who is NOT a certified police/peace officer.



Examples:



Arizona Revised Statutes

13-3884. Arrest by private person

A private person may make an arrest:

1. When the person to be arrested has in his presence committed a misdemeanor amounting to a breach of the peace, or a felony.

2. When a felony has been in fact committed and he has reasonable ground to believe that the person to be arrested has committed it.



Nevada Revised Statutes

171.126 Arrest by private person. A private person may arrest another:

1. For a public offense committed or attempted in his presence.

2. When the person arrested has committed a felony, although not in his presence.

3. When a felony has been in fact committed, and he has reasonable cause for believing the person arrested to have committed it.

(Added to NRS by 1967, 1402)





North Dakota

29-06-20. When private person may arrest. A private person may arrest another:

1. For a public offense committed or attempted in the arresting person's presence.

2. When the person arrested has committed a felony, although not in the arresting

person's presence.

3. When a felony has been in fact committed, and the arresting person has reasonable

grounds to believe the person arrested to have committed it.



So there are three states, and 47 more states have similar laws, hardly a "myth". You should really learn at least a little about the laws if you are going to enforce them.

Answer 10

Absolutely!!! What a brilliant thing to do! They carry guns and night sticks in menacing ways. They hit people with those night sticks. And they have pepper pray.



Also, the good thing about a citizen's arrest is that you won't have to bring your own handcuffs!!! Just take them off the police officer. And if the officer resists, just take his gun or night stick away and use them on him. I'm sure he won't mind. Why a police officer is the ideal person to arrest, because he has a belt full of great things you can use to arrest him with. Why it's so convenient, you don't even need to plan or even think about it! When the mood strikes you, don't think! Just do it! Grab that cop by the arm, take his gun and use his cuffs to take him in.



And you can use his police car, too. Just put him in the back. With the police car, you can get on the radio and let all the other police officers know what you are doing. That way they might not shoot you dozens of times for kidnapping one of their own. By using the patrol car radio, I'm sure the other officers won't think you are completely and totally insane and blow your brains out (assuming there are some in there). It's also good to let them know so they don't arrest you for kidnapping, assault on a police officer, false imprisonment, stealing a police vehicle, and numerous other felonies for which they would otherwise arrest you.



Good luck. I suspect you may need it.

Answer 11

Technically yes, but in the real world, you are liable to start trouble for yourself which will be ongoing. Every patrolofficer in the area will be out to nail you on something, even if it is spitting on the sidewalk, or jaywalking. Do you really want this kind of trouble just for the priviledge to make a citizen's arrest?

Answer 12

Take their name and badge number. If they don't answer your questions, write a complaint to the Police and Fire Commission.



That will surly be put on the officers record, which is NOT good for them. Small towns do not have this, so write the complaint to the department.

Answer 13

Check this out cops:



18 U.S. Code § 241 - Conspiracy against rights



If two or more persons conspire to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any person in any State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him by the Constitution or laws of the United States, or because of his having so exercised the same; or

If two or more persons go in disguise on the highway, or on the premises of another, with intent to prevent or hinder his free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege so secured—

They shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and if death results from the acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, they shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both, or may be sentenced to death.



Since this is a felony, you will get arrested if i choose to. i as a decendant of the creators of The Constitution for the United States of America have that power guaranteed me in the 10th Amendment.

Answer 14

I severely doubt that the police officer would take u seriously and if u managed to subdue him, or at least keep him there, I doubt that the arriving help (likely another officer) would take u seriously either. I would be afraid to do it, just because they might find something to give you a ticket for just for being a nuisance to them. I'd love to see someone try it tho. In an ideal society the public would be able to regulate officers who put people's live in danger when they drive erratically just to maneuver around traffic for no warranted reason. Great question!

Answer 15

I am an Oregon sheriff reserve officer. You cannot make a citizen's arrest, but you can have him call his supervisor and have a citation issued. But in most states, a police cruiser is allowed 10 MPH above posted limit or flow of traffic. Turning on lights allows faster speeds and may have a reason. You do tread dangerous territory though. If you do file a complaint you do risk being charged with impeding a police officer. I reported a Phoenix Arizona police officer once for having sex with a woman and blocking my drive way. That was in his cruiser. Other police broke it up. But following that I had police following me every time I left my house. I finally moved. I would not recommend complaining unless you have something more serious to report.

Answer 16

You can try, but as soon as the rest of the police gang gets there you`ll be beat like Rodney King.

Answer 17

You can only make a citizens arrest for a misdemeanor or crime that you have witnessed, cutting in and out of traffic and the other things that you have mentioned are infractions; About all you can do is get his badge number and request that he be give a citation. The problem is then you will be stopped by every cop in the city for the most minor of infractions (say doing 22 in a 20 MPH zone).

Believe me it will NOT be worth it..

Answer 18

You could report it to his superiors, but that might just cause you problems. It would also be very hard to prove. You would probably need video tape, and radar gun. If your trying to prove they are speeding, even then they are driving an emergency vehicle, and it would most likely be thrown out of court.

Answer 19

no! but you can take their badge numbers and report complaints on them usually they won't pay attention to the complaint if it's a small non important one but eventually if they add up by different people. some type of measure would be taken

Answer 20

You cant arrest a cop if you not a cop are fbi agent the cop will just kill if you try to arrest him just report the cop to the fbi

Answer 21

Hey instead of laughing at your question like the rest of the yahoo's on here, depending on the situation, if he is endangering others, then yeah why not

Answer 22

You would be better off reporting the behavior to their superior unless you want to become a target.

Answer 23

Criminal Records Search Database : http://InfoSearchDetective.com

Answer 24

Interesting question!

Answer 25

They even got that covered. They break their own rules and get away with anything and everything.

But you can file a citizen's complaint form. Get all the information you can from him: name, badge, license plate even.



Obviously, Internal Affairs will cover for the cop. It is all political moves that benefit the mayor of the town. So, whenever possible, pull out your video camera and get your own, solid witness that no corrupt officer can mess with: The action on tape.

Answer 26

LMAO I don't believe that would go over very well. You would probably get tasered in the process.

Answer 27

well i mean you can certainly try it, but just don't be surprised of what he's going to do to you

Answer 28

Yes, if you have other's who witness the crime and are willing to testify ! or you have the crime on video or both!

Answer 29

You have my avatar. I'm gonna citizens arrest you if you don't give it back

Answer 30

After I quit laughing in your face you should probably walk away from me before I arrest you for obstruct and delay a law enforcement officer. By the way I would be the only one of the two of us that has actual power to arrest.



I'm always speeding and cutting on my lights because I have a call to go on and need to get there ASAP. I have also never pulled someone over for no reason.

Answer 31

Enjoyed this question

Answer 32

"When this Gov. becomes corrupt to these means it is your duty to alter or abolish it" The US Constitution......not only can you IT IS YOUR DUTY!!!!!!

Answer 33

Since when do the police to explain themselves to you? Most cops turn on lights and siren because of a dangerous situation happening somewhere. Perhaps one of YOUR family members needs help.

Answer 34

You can't citizens arrest anyone, that is for off duty cops. I don't know how that myth got started. Also, policemen cannot be arrested, only ordered (by superiors) to report to the station. Also, sometimes calls we get we are only supposed to use blue lights to get through traffic lights and not the whole way so the people we're going after don't know we're coming, so they don't run. Also, cops ARE allowed to make random stops for no reason, and sometimes there is a reason that you just do not need to know. Perhaps you or your vehicle fit a description or you took a drink out of a bottle that turned out to be soda. Maybe you were weaving and didn't notice it. Bottom line, I'm not saying that there has never been a cop that profiled or used his blue lights inappropriately, but usually, 999,999 out of 1,000,000 it is completely within merit.

Answer 35

You do not have the authority to arrest a sworn individual. If you want to play Police, become one.

Answer 36

no.