§ 133.783 Authority of arresting officer to command assistance

If someone has the legal power to arrest a person, they can also ask other people nearby for help making that arrest. This works the same way it does for sheriffs and other law enforcement officers who are carrying out arrest warrants or other criminal court orders.

If a person is asked to help and refuses, they can face the same penalties that apply when someone refuses to help a sheriff or officer in similar situations. In short, this rule puts arresting officers on equal footing with sheriffs when it comes to getting help from bystanders, and it holds people accountable if they turn down a lawful request for assistance.