More freedom proposed for citizen’s arrests

People making citizen’s arrests in good faith could soon be better protected from legal reprisals if proposed legislation is approved.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Thursday that legislation is being tabled to protect citizens who nab suspected criminals in good faith.

The announcement came less than a month after he met with Toronto shopkeeper David Chen, who made headlines last fall when he was acquitted of assault and forcible confinement after catching and tying up well-known shoplifter Anthony Bennett in his Chinatown store.

Catching a thief in the act is a requirement of the law when making such a citizen’s arrest. Chen captured the shoplifter one hour after he stole plants from his store. However, a judge called the one-hour issue a “red herring,” saying the thief had gone back for more loot.

The Citizen’s Arrest and Self-Defence Act would give people a “reasonable period of time” after a crime to apprehend a suspect.

“This bill and the provisions of it must send a clear message to people who must act in defence of  themselves or their property that the criminal justice system is on their side and not on the side of the criminal,” Harper said at a press conference.

He says people who arrest criminals should not have to worry about facing charges themselves and added it’s simply not fair for good guys to be punished while protecting themselves and helping police get the bad guys.

Liberal MP Joe Volpe thinks Ottawa should go even further.

“The government should reimburse [Chan],” he said. “They put him through a lot of personal anguish, a lot of personal strain and economic strain. They should pick up at least the economic strain.”

Both the Liberals and the NDP had previously introduced similar private-member’s bills.

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