What must a law enforcement officer have to make an arrest?

To make an arrest, a law enforcement officer must have probable cause. Probable cause is a legal standard meaning that there are sufficient factual circumstances to believe that a crime has been committed and that the person to be arrested is linked to that crime. This standard is crucial as it ensures that arrests are made based on reasonable grounds rather than mere suspicion, helping protect individuals from unlawful detentions.

The requirement for probable cause serves as a fundamental protection of citizens' rights, making it a cornerstone of lawful policing practices. It involves the officer gathering facts, evidence, or information that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the suspect has committed or will commit a crime. This legal threshold is essential for maintaining an individual’s rights and upholding the integrity of the justice system.

Other options like a search warrant, community consent, and a victim's statement do not fulfill this overarching requirement on their own. A search warrant is specific to searching premises or seizing evidence, community consent can vary and may not always be applicable, and a victim's statement may contribute to the overall circumstances but does not constitute the necessary legal standard for making an arrest by itself.