Taking law into your own hands, legally.?

Question

Is there any group or organization where a civilian or volunteer can help serve out the law? Per say you see kids robbing something, and by the time police showed up they would be long gone, and you are right there to do it. Is there any civilian sheriff program or something similar along those lines that you can take and get some certification to do so, when law isn't around? I'm not speaking of a vigilante, but having some certification to apprehend people of this nature and to call the police when you have them detained, and it being legal? And not even a job, but as a volunteer not wanting any funds.

I'm not just speaking in citizen's arrest, but a program or certification to maybe use force. Say something where your sworn in and have a few more powers than a normal citizen.

Answer 1

"and by the time police showed up they would be long gone"

Kinda amazing how well that works out isn't it?
Really safe for the cops...


Meanwhile they are Johnny on the spot to give out revenue generating tickets....

Those are the things that make you go ...
Hmmmmmm....

Answer 2

Many agencies throughout the USA have an auxiliary or reserve police program available for volunteers. This is serious business though and would require you to go through a special police academy and would give you a badge and the ability to ride with an officer in uniform and carry out normal police powers. You can sometimes patrol on your own as well using all of your sponsored agencies equipment. The agency that sponsors you will many times pay to put you through the training as they like having volunteers. They require you to volunteer about 30-40 hours a month or so. When you are off-duty you would be able to carry a firearm and act as an officer in that jurisdiction. You will not be paid but can sometimes work special details for extra money. As one user indicated you can make citizens arrests and take actions under certain conditions however a citizen has many restrictions and liabilities to worry about. Check with your local police agency and good luck.

Answer 3

alucard is partially correct.
You can preform a Citizens arrest and you can use force if you need to.

The part that you need to know is that you always put your self in danger when you do something like this. If some one is willing to break the law then it is not very far for them to break it in other ways.

I say that if you just feel that you have to do something then go take a conceal carry course. That way you will understand guns better and how to use them if you need to.

I also recommend that you take a self defense course in some thing like Tyquando or Jujitsu course.

You need to be able to defend your self in those situations and really any time.

The reason I recommend the self defense, is if they draw a weapon you need to know what to do and be able to do it correctly.

here is a link that talks about the different martial arts and you should be able to decide what would be best for you here or just google it.

: )

I know for a fact that a private detectives license will allow you to carry a concealed weapon and will teach you how to perform an arrest. ( the good ones do at least )

hope this helps.

"now with all that said I still recommend you just take down as much information as you can, like their descriptions, car type, tags, etc.. with out getting directly involved for your safety. the more stuff you can remember for the police the better chance they have of not only getting an arrest but convicting them."

Answer 4

Depending where you live, you could become a Reserve sheriff or law enforcement personnel. you would have to take some classes at a community college or at their training facility and you could become part police officer to a certain degree. Of course though you would have to volunteer your services on a monthly basis. You would also have to get a background check etc etc like if you where applying to actually become a police officer. Check with your local Law Enforcement to see if they have a similar program.

Answer 5

You need to be a sworn peace officer in order to use force. Some police/sheriff departments may have reserve officers, which are trained as officers but not called to duty except when needed (as opposed to regular employees who have rotating shifts). Maybe that is what you are looking for.

Answer 6

you do realize that anyone can perform a civilian arrest as long as no force is used unless of course your lifes at risk

anywho as long as no force is used you can do an arrest legally then take them to the police department OR call the police and wait there

Answer 7

Under the rule of citizens arrest, you can detain lawbreakers for the police, but you do so at your own risk.

Answer 8

You could do a citizens arrest...but you'd better be sure you can prove what happened or you are legally liable...

The best thing to do when you live in "one of those" neighborhoods his carry a video camera or a camera phone around with you...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen's_arrest

Answer 9

what I do is put the old M-4 on them and yell dont move!

and if they move I fire warning shot
if they still attempt I fire a take down shot, then again I usually do this in a hostile territory