OSH Security Practice Test

Section 494, subsection 1(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada allows what authority to persons?

1. Peace officers to arrest people without warrant who they believe on reasonable grounds to have committed an offence for which they may be arrested without warrant

2. Security guards to arrest people without warrant who they believe on reasonable grounds to have committed an offence for which they may be arrested without warrant

3. Anyone to arrest a person whom he finds committing an indictable offence

4. The authority for anyone who is required or authorized to do anything in the administration or enforcement of the law to use as much force as is reasonably necessary for that purpose

The correct answer is: Anyone to arrest a person whom he finds committing an indictable offence

Section 494, subsection 1(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada addresses citizen's arrest in the context of individuals witnessing a crime. It specifically grants anyone the authority to arrest a person whom they find committing an indictable offence. This provision empowers individuals, not just law enforcement officers, to act when they directly observe a serious crime being committed, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in crime prevention and providing a mechanism for immediate response in urgent situations. This is particularly crucial for maintaining public safety, as it allows for quicker intervention during instances of significant wrongdoing, which might otherwise go unaddressed while waiting for law enforcement to arrive. Understanding this context helps clarify the limitations of the other choices, which pertain to the powers of specific roles such as peace officers or security guards, or emphasize the use of force in law enforcement rather than the direct authority to make an arrest based on witnessed actions.