Making A Proper Arrest

 Remember that we're security guards working at a post not legally a police officer.  We do not have the same arresting powers as a certified law enforcement official. Instead, we're there to protects the persons and properties of the employer.  Should you find yourself without the instructions of LP, an act of crime must take place in your prescence. Check your state laws. But, here's how to make a legal arrest. 

1. Notify authorities if you can. Law enforcement officials strongly encourage citizens to phone in a complaint or tip rather than try to stop a crime themselves. You should carefully consider whether you're putting yourself or others in more danger than necessary by making a citizen's arrest. A citizen's arrest is only an emergency measure to stop a suspect until law enforcement officials can take matters into their own hands. If you think that the local police will be able to find the suspect, a citizen's arrest may not be necessary. With a detailed description and a license plate number, you can arm the police with the information they need to apprehend the suspect.
2. Evaluate the situation clearly. You could be legally liable if you make a false accusation or if you assault someone without a very strong reason to think they are in the middle of a crime. How close are you? Can you see what's going on? Do you know the participants? The best time to make a citizen's arrest is when you've witnessed the suspect in the very act of committing a crime, without any doubt as to who the suspect is and what they were doing.
   
3. Remember that things are not always what they seem. What you might interpret as a child being kidnapped could, in actuality, be a parent or a relative carrying away a child who's throwing a temper tantrum. In this case, assumptions about whether the person is related to the child (if, for example, the person is of a different race than the child, and/or is misinterpreted to look like a homeless individual) can result in legal action against you.
   
4. Consider the severity of the crime being committed. Citizen's arrest laws vary by the degree of the crime in suspicion. In many places, it must be a felony (usually a serious crime involving violence) in order to justify a citizen's arrest. You should know where the line is drawn in the country you're in when you witness the crime. Borderline crimes include vandalism and driving while intoxicated.
   
5. Say "Stop". Tell the suspect loudly and forcefully to stop what they're doing. Hold up your hand to indicate stopping. If they have a weapon, tell them to put it down (Think twice about making a citizen's arrest of an armed subject).
   
6. Tell the suspect that they're under citizen's arrest. Tell them that they're not allowed to leave until a police officer comes and that they can explain the situation to the police when they arrive. Be firm and matter-of-fact.
7. In the U.S., A Miranda Warning is only required if you are both detaining AND questioning the suspect simultaneously. You do not need to read a suspect their rights if you question then detain.
   
8. If the suspect tries to leave, think very carefully before physically restraining the suspect. Not only will you put yourself in physical danger, but you could be subject to legal liabilities for use of excessive force. You can only use enough force to restrain the suspect. If they manage to run away, then the arrest has not been completed. Also, note that in at least some countries it is illegal to lock up the suspect or tie him to something.
   
9. Remember that you have no right to question or search the suspect, or to seize any kind of evidence.
   
10. Call local authorities. Get in touch with the local police department on the spot if you have a cell phone. Call your local emergency number e.g. 911 in the U.S. and Canada; 112 or 999 in the UK or 112 in Europe (it can differ from country to country); 000 in Australia; 111 in New Zealand. If you don't have access to a phone, send someone to call from a payphone. It is not recommended that you attempt to transport the suspect to the local authorities yourself.
    
11. Identify yourself to the police when they arrive. When the police arrive, let them know who you are, what you saw, and why you held the suspect. Remember that you will probably need to be in court to provide eyewitness testimony for the crime, so stay calm and stick to the facts. Don't tell them what you think happened, tell them exactly what you saw and who you saw doing it.

 More Tips:

• When dealing with potential criminals, it's better to be on the side of caution and leave the crime control to trained professionals.
• In most cases, you don't need to be a citizen of the country you're in in order to make a citizen's arrest.
• Be as observant as possible. Even if you aren't able to keep the suspect at the scene, you will be able to act as witness and identify the suspect later.
• Be confident. Showing the suspect that you don't know what you're doing will make them more likely to leave the scene of the crime.