BC Private Investigator: Arrest, force and criminal harassment

All 12 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

1. If a PI makes a lawful citizen's arrest, how much force is justified?

   1. As much as is necessary, on reasonable grounds
   2. No force at all under any circumstances
   3. Any force, because the arrest is lawful
   4. Whatever amount of force the client has authorized in the contract

2. Who may arrest a person found committing a criminal offence on or in relation to property?

   1. The owner, lawful possessor or someone they authorize
   2. Only the police, and never any private person, owner or agent
   3. Any PI working on any unrelated file
   4. Only a lawyer acting for the owner

3. For criminal harassment, what must the targeted person reasonably fear?

   1. Only for the loss of their job
   2. Only that they might be sued in civil court by the PI's client
   3. Only for damage to their property
   4. For their safety, including psychological safety

4. What happens if a PI uses more force than necessary during an arrest?

   1. They lose their licence automatically
   2. They are criminally responsible for the excess
   3. Nothing, if the arrest itself was lawful
   4. Only their employer can be held responsible

5. What arrest powers does a licensed B.C. private investigator have?

   1. Those of a sheriff when serving documents
   2. None at all, in any situation
   3. Those of a peace officer while on a file
   4. Only those of a private citizen

6. Who does section 35 protect when they prevent a person from taking property?

   1. Only a peace officer called to the scene
   2. Someone in peaceable possession, or acting for them
   3. Anyone at all, wherever the property is
   4. Only the registered owner of the property on the land title record

7. Which conduct can amount to criminal harassment under section 264?

   1. Taking a single photo of a person in a public park during the day
   2. Searching a public court registry for a name
   3. Repeatedly following a person or watching their home
   4. Reading a person's public social media posts

8. How can a PI keep lawful surveillance from becoming criminal harassment?

   1. Watch the subject's home around the clock for several weeks in a row
   2. Follow the subject openly so they know who it is
   3. Leave notes so the subject knows they are watched
   4. Keep a lawful purpose and avoid conduct that would cause fear

9. Which right does section 10 (b) of the Charter give a person who is arrested?

   1. To demand the arrester's home address
   2. To retain and instruct counsel without delay
   3. To refuse to be photographed in public
   4. To be released if they return the property

10. Under s. 494 (1) (a), whom may anyone arrest without a warrant?

    1. A person who refuses to answer a PI's questions
    2. A person found committing an indictable offence
    3. A person who is breaking a municipal bylaw
    4. A person suspected of an offence last month

11. After making a citizen's arrest, what must a PI do with the person?

    1. Release them once the client decides
    2. Deliver them to a peace officer forthwith
    3. Question them before calling anyone
    4. Take them to the client's office

12. Which condition is part of self-defence under section 34?

    1. The defender had a licence to use force
    2. Police were called before acting
    3. The act is reasonable in the circumstances
    4. The attacker was larger than the defender