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Can i make a citizen arrest on a police officer?
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Can i make a citizen arrest on a police officer?

if i spot a policeman, like i did tonight who had a dodgy front light on his speed camera van, can i flag him down and make a citizen arrest so he can be persucuted for having a unroad worthy vehicle?, i was tempted today for a laugh but thought i might get in trouble lol.


    




s2scrm
Rating
Of course you can, you're his boss!

He's a "public servant", not your king.

As a matter of fact, cops do illegal stuff all day long!

When they put their reds & blues on behind you, you're only required to get out of their way, not pull over.

READ YOUR VEHICLE CODE.

When they issue you a "ticket", they have just violated the separation of powers doctrine. Cops are in the "Administrative" branch of government. What the heII are they doing giving you a judicial summons to appear? That's a function of the judicial branch of government!

That's like the government ordering you to go to a Mormon Temple on Sunday mornings, it's a violation of the second amendment.

Cops ask you "Do you know why I pulled you over" without advising you of your right to remain silent first. That question is the first volley in his investigation into a crime. You don't have to answer any question.

As a matter of fact, the only thing a cop can do when he stops you is to either arrest you, or warn you of danger.

If YOU ask HIM "Am I under arrest?", and he answers "No.", he must release you immediately, because every second he "detains" you after that business is dispatched is UNLAWFUL DETENTION!


migelito
Not for a dodgy light as this is not an arrestable offence.
If you catch a policeman commiting a criminal offence you can try a citizen's arrest but you will probably end up being arrested yourself for assault or something.


Ryan D
Uh, no. You are not permitted to make citizens arrests for traffic violations pretty much period. Citizens arrests are generally only permissible to prevent a felony or apprehend one who has just committed a felony. So if you see somebody murder someone, you can apprehend the murderer, but traffic violations aren't going to rise to that level.

And you can't arrest the cops, as they've got significant protections under sovereign immunity provisions.


Howthebldyhellru
The police will back each other up and you will be arrested,fingerprinted & your DNA held.

Welcome to Blairs Britain.

Perhaps if you wore a veil you would get away with it.


Fluffy Faye
Members of the public can make a citizen's arrest but only for indictable offences and only when it is not practicible for a police officer to make this arrest. An indictable offence is an offence which is triable at crown court only. It is normally a more serious offence such as burglary, murder, or robbery. In this instance the offence mentioned is only a summary offence which means it is heard at magistrate's court at the very worst but is usually punishable by a fixed penalty notice.


Charles D
I don't think a dodgy headlight is an arrestable offence. For something serious that is an interesting question.


shellie0601
I'm pretty sure you can...


James the less
Rating
Only if he has, in fact, committed an arestable offence, but there are some practical difficulties..........


Val G
Cool question! I'd love to be there when you try! Just make sure that your car is in perfect working order for the next billion years and that you park legally! Not that I think for a moment there would be any retaliatory actions made against you!!!!!!!!


Caroline
No you cannot!

And if you do you will probably find yourself under arrest, most police officers aren't known for their great sense of humour.

Best leaving law enforcement to the professionals.


bluff mike
Rating
No. You can only detain another civilian that you catch committing a crime.
The cop will probably arrest you for disorderly conduct.


Todd
As a citizen u can arrest another citizen with just cause, if the cop is a citzen then yes. be a little tough for a moving violation though. Find out what department he/she works in a file a "citzen complaint" form. it will stay in the offers file forever, and may lead to disiplinary action against the officer, even dismisal if it is proven and serious enough.


rltouhe
Rating
I personally think that if he saw the same he would not arrest you. He would probably just ticket you.The best thing to do would be to contact that police department and report the vehicle including license number. If nothing was done I would then call the mayors department.


mittobridges@btinternet.com
Rating
You can make a citizens arrest, police officers are only civilians paid to uphold the law.

BUT. . . . Having an unroadworthy vehicle is not an arrestable offence. So don't try it.


Bill
Rating
Sure

Get a light, gun and cuffs.

Also get some money for bail


Alter_Ego
Rating
You could try it for a laugh...But i think they would be the ones who have the last laugh!


J L
You can only make a citizens arrest if it is a felony crime. deven then its discouraged because most likely they will try to kick your ***. Its best to let trained police officers with weapons and authority to take on the bad guys.

Also, you cannot give miranda rights because then it would be considered impersination of a police officer.

So I would have to say a dodgy front light on his speed van would probably not warrant arrest even if you were a police officer.


John S
Rating
Sure lean out the window, going neeee nerrrr neee nerrrr, pull them over and book em.


GRILL
Rating
No you can't not an idictable offence. How about "hey officer, one of your lights is not working"


Sir Sidney Snot
No you can't but you can report the vehicle which really would be a waste of your time!


bobsdidi
Rating
i think if they can give us a 75 dollar ticket for a head light out or no seat belt I think we should be able to do it right back to them too.....maybe I'll check into that too


charlotterobo
Rating
The fact is the guy`s who drive these speed camera vans are just ordinary people doing their job ! they are not police men and it is not a criminal offence to have a light out on your car ! this is why the coppers give you 7 day`s to have it rectified ( if it is not done within the 7 day`s and they see you again THEN they can prosecute for a unroadworthy car ) So the answer to your particular question is No !


tigger
Rating
u could try but after that u may get stopped a few times not worth it


dreamcatcher
technically you could make a citizens arrest but i wouldnt do it myself!! you could report his van to local cops, if you ask his number he has to give it lol


Elusive ()Ne
save your time and effort.


Centurion
I really wouldn't try it.


littlebrother1961
I agree with you cos thay are no differant then us, however you may find that you will be stopped almost everyday cos the police think of themselves above the law and would use it to "gang up" on you until thay get you for something. Lets just say it's best to hate them inside our heads and not to help them as we will never be in there club.


towelee_1
Rating
you can't make a citizen arrest but i'm sure they would be greatful and little annoyed if someone told them about it. try it and find out


grumpcookie
they are subject to the same laws as the rest of us.so i would.


me
Rating
not if they have a gun. that would be pointless


yoyoho
i was pulled over a year ago leaving a girls house and they told me they were going to charge me with conspicy they handcuffed me and siaid i was under arrest for improper lane change ..they asked if they could search my car and i said they could .they had 4 cops searching my vehicle . the search went on for over a hour while i stood in the hot sun in handcuffs.they found nothing but threatened me with conspircy again unless i would come in and talk to them about setting up the girls sister for a drug buy.they said they needed me because i was credible and i guess they said that because i have no criminal record. so i told them i would come see them the next day and idid not.so now i come to find out the sited me for improper lane change 6 times without issueing me a ticket .i was never served a summons or anything .the only reason i found out about it was sombody saw my name on there city court warrants web site .i feel my rights are being abused .is this legal what can i do .





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