SIA Powers of Arrest and Detention 3

Question 1

A person is suspected of possessing a controlled drug on licensed premises. Can a door supervisor make a citizen's arrest?

Accepted Answer

It depends — possession with intent to supply is indictable, but simple possession of a small amount may be summary only

Answer

Yes, all drug possession offences are automatically indictable

Answer

No, only police have powers of arrest for any drug-related offence

Answer

Yes, any suspicion of drug involvement justifies a citizen's arrest

Question 2

What must a door supervisor be able to demonstrate to justify a citizen's arrest if challenged legally?

Accepted Answer

That an indictable offence was being or had been committed and that arrest was necessary

Answer

That the person verbally confessed to the offence

Answer

That CCTV footage of the offence was available at the time of arrest

Answer

That a police officer had pre-authorised the arrest via radio

Question 3

If a person voluntarily agrees to wait for police after being accused of an offence and is not physically restrained or told they cannot leave, the situation is best described as what?

Accepted Answer

Voluntary attendance

Answer

A citizen's arrest

Answer

Unlawful detention

Answer

A contractual obligation to the venue

Question 4

Under Section 24A PACE 1984, which TWO conditions must BOTH be met for a citizen's arrest to be lawful?

Accepted Answer

An indictable offence must be in progress or have occurred, AND arrest must be necessary because a constable cannot be summoned in time

Answer

The supervisor must be in uniform and must have directly witnessed the offence

Answer

The suspect must be on licensed premises and the venue manager must have authorised the arrest

Answer

Police must have been contacted first and have remotely authorised the arrest

Question 5

After detaining someone under citizen's arrest, which of the following actions should a door supervisor AVOID?

Accepted Answer

Conducting a formal interview and asking the person questions about the alleged offence

Answer

Calling the police immediately to report the arrest

Answer

Keeping the detained person in a safe and visible location

Answer

Making a note of the time, location, and reason for the detention

Question 6

A door supervisor ejects a person who then immediately assaults another member of the public outside the venue. May the supervisor physically intervene?

Accepted Answer

Yes, any person may use reasonable force to prevent crime or protect another under common law and the Criminal Law Act 1967

Answer

No, the supervisor's authority ends at the venue entrance and they cannot act outside

Answer

Only if the supervisor holds a current first aid qualification

Answer

No, the supervisor must call police and only observe from a safe distance

Question 7

Which of the following statements about preserving evidence after a citizen's arrest is correct?

Accepted Answer

Preserving the scene is important but actually collecting evidence is a police function to maintain chain of custody

Answer

The door supervisor must collect all physical evidence before police arrive

Answer

Supervisors should photograph all evidence using their personal mobile phones as standard procedure

Answer

Any evidence handled by a door supervisor will automatically be deemed inadmissible in court