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Encyclopedia entry

Citizen's Arrest (Private Person's Arrest)

The narrow authority under California Penal Code 837 for any private person, including a security officer, to detain someone for certain offenses.

A citizen's arrest, formally a 'private person's arrest' under California Penal Code Section 837, allows any private individual — including a security officer, who holds no greater authority in this respect than any other citizen — to arrest someone for an offense committed in their presence or, for felonies, where there is reasonable cause.

This is a narrow, high-liability power: an unjustified arrest can expose the person making it to civil claims such as false imprisonment, which is why most security companies train officers to observe, document, and call police rather than exercise this authority except in clearly justified circumstances.

It does not authorize searches or force beyond what is objectively reasonable to complete a lawful arrest — see the related use-of-force entry.

Related entries

Use of Force (Private Security Standard)The general reasonable-force standard that governs a private security officer, distinct from any police use-of-force policy.Trespass (California Penal Code 602)The general term for unauthorized presence on property that California law addresses through Penal Code Section 602.Incident ReportThe written record an officer creates documenting an observed event, action taken, and follow-up needed.

Official sources

  1. [1]Cal. Penal Code § 837 — Arrest by Private PersonCalifornia Legislative Information
  2. [2]BSIS Power to Arrest TrainingBSIS

Links point to the publishing agency or the California Legislative Information text. Government pages are reorganized periodically — if a link moves, search the code section or agency name at the official site.

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General industry and regulatory usage — not legal advice, and not an endorsement by BSIS, the Department of Consumer Affairs, or any law-enforcement agency. Statutes, regulations, and local ordinances change; verify current text at the official government source or with your attorney.

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