California POST Training Practice Test

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Prepare for the California POST Training Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with explanations. Boost your confidence and increase your chances of passing!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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

Show a badge
State their authority
Provide a letter of recommendation
Have a witness present

The correct answer is: 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.