Is creating a ruse to effect an arrest acceptable?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Sometimes with supervisor approval
• D. Only in non-violent cases

Answer: (A)

Using deception to arrest someone is an accepted policing tactic when it’s carried out within policy and the law. A ruse can help officers safely bring a suspect into custody, prevent the suspect from fleeing, or expose criminal activity that wouldn’t be revealed through a direct approach. It’s a tool used in undercover or decoy operations and is justified when it aims to protect the public and officers while gathering admissible evidence. The key is that the tactic must avoid crossing into entrapment—it should not induce someone to commit a crime they would not have committed otherwise, and it must adhere to department rules and legal standards. When those conditions are met, creating a ruse to effect an arrest is considered acceptable.