Who is allowed to arrest criminals?

Because of the monopoly on the use of force, making arrests is the task of the state, that is, of the police. Private persons may at most hold someone briefly in an emergency until the police arrive.

Common mistakes

A: witnesses to a crime

Witnesses should call the police and give evidence, but not make arrests themselves.

B: the municipal council

The municipal council is a political authority. Arrests are made by the police.

D: vigilante groups

A vigilante group is not a state body and may not use force.

Courts and police

Judges work at courts. Their task is to deliver judgments. They decide whether someone has broken a law and what punishment they receive. They also decide disputes between people or with authorities. They do not defend the accused; a lawyer does that. Nor do they write laws; Parliament does that.

How the state works
Separation of powers

Sources

• zh.ch
• parlament.ch
• ch.ch

Last checked: September 2026

Question 74 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.

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