[quote=james423]

Agree wholeheartedly with your two cents.

Any citizen has the right to detain a person in connection with a crime. However, that detention can be litigated, and found to be illegal.

Local city policy governs the authority of a local policeperson during off-duty time. It is often the case that an off-duty policeperson has the authority to detan and arrect a person in connection with a crime. In some cases an off-duty police person may be hired by a business to provide security services. That policeperson will wear the city uniform, and the city will be liable for the actions of that person while working for the business--e.g. the city will be liable if a that policeperson fires upon someone and kills or injures that person.

Then there is also another factor:

I am thinking of a certified law enforcement officer who was visiting in a town located in a State where he did not live. Walking down the street one night he noted a male in an arguement with a female. He walked up to the couple, flased his badge, and asked a few questions. The male appeared to be under the influence. After talking to the woman, he advised the male that he did not want to disrupt his evening, and if the male would immediately leave the area, no official record of the incident would be kept. The male immediately departed the area.

Actually, the authority of this person was no more than that of any other person. But, the sight of his badge carried some moral authority, and neithr the woman nor the man wanted it to go further. But, possibly an assult was prevented.