Alberta Security Guard License Practice Exam

Is it true that you may arrest an individual without having witnessed a crime?

1. True

2. False

3. Only if there are witnesses

4. Only if there is video evidence

The correct answer is: True

The assertion that you may arrest an individual without having witnessed a crime is correct. Under specific circumstances, the law allows for what's known as a citizen's arrest. This is particularly valid when a person has reasonable grounds to believe that an individual has committed an indictable offense. In Canadian law, a citizen can arrest someone without having directly witnessed the crime if they have evidence or reasonable suspicion that a crime has occurred, and they must do so quickly after the crime is committed. This principle is rooted in the need for community safety and the idea that individuals can take action to prevent further harm or crime. It's important to be aware that while you can make an arrest under these conditions, you must also adhere to legal standards regarding the treatment of the individual being arrested and should ideally notify law enforcement as soon as possible. The other options provide conditions or limitations that do not align with the broader legal framework allowing for arrests under reasonable suspicion, but they don't encompass the full scope of citizen's arrest authority as it stands in law.