The power of arrest is a mandate given to certain members of a society by the central authority that allows them to remove a criminal or suspected criminal's liberty. The power of arrest can also be used to protect a person, or persons from harm or to protect damage to property.

Arrest

Arrest

An arrest is the act of depriving a person of his or her liberty usually in relation to the purported investigation and prevention of crime and presenting into the criminal justice system or harm to oneself or others...

 usually leads to police custody. In many countries, the power of arrest has now been extended to not only the Police

Police

The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...

, but to other law enforcement agencies such as Immigration

Immigration

Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...

, Customs & Excise and authorised Bailiffs, etc.

However, in many countries, a person also has powers of arrest under citizen's arrest

Citizen's arrest

A citizen's arrest is an arrest made by a person who is not acting as a sworn law-enforcement official. In common law jurisdictions, the practice dates back to medieval Britain and the English common law, in which sheriffs encouraged ordinary citizens to help apprehend law breakers.Despite the...

 or any person arrest powers.