California POST Training Practice Test 2026 - Free Law Enforcement Practice Questions and Study Guide

Question: 1 / 400

What must a private citizen do to prove authority when making an arrest?

Show a badge

State their authority

To make a lawful citizen's arrest, a private citizen is required to state their authority. This means that the individual must verbally express their intention to detain someone based on the belief that a crime has been committed or is being committed in their presence. Simply showing a badge is not applicable for private citizens, as they do not hold the official authority or designation of law enforcement. A letter of recommendation does not serve as proof of lawfully recognized authority for the purpose of making an arrest. Additionally, while having a witness might provide support in certain situations, it is not a required element to establish one's authority to act as a private citizen making an arrest. Thus, clearly stating the intention and authority to enforce a citizen's arrest is crucial for validity.

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Provide a letter of recommendation

Have a witness present

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