Liability & LegalQuestion 114 of 200

A PPO's recordkeeping policy regarding citizen's arrests by its guards should reflect which legal obligation?

a.Each citizen's arrest should be promptly and accurately documented — including time, place, witnesses, observations, basis for arrest, force used, and delivery to peace officer per §847 — both to support the arrest's lawfulness and to defend against future civil claims (CCP §340(c) 1-year SOL for false imprisonment)
b.No documentation is required for any citizen's arrest
c.Records must be destroyed within 30 days of the arrest
d.Only the responding officer is responsible for any documentation

Explanation

Sound PPO practice requires prompt, detailed documentation of every citizen's arrest. Critical elements include: identity of the arresting guard; time/place of arrest; facts supporting reasonable cause (or probable cause under §490.5); the §841 notification; observation evidence (especially in-presence misdemeanors under §837(1)); force used and necessity; precise time of delivery to peace officer per §847; the responding officer's name and report number; and witness identification. Records should be retained at least through the §340(c) one-year SOL (longer for negligence or Bane Act claims). Documentation supports both the lawfulness of the arrest and the PPO's defense against civil suits.

Law Reference: Cal. Penal Code §847; Cal. Business & Professions Code §7583.6

Practice all 200 questions free — no signup required.

Related questions on this topic

Last reviewed: · editorial process

PrepPass Editorial Team · Verified against California BSIS Guard Card Exam · How we review
Report