[piytar]

Most people don’t know that in most states, the police actually don’t have special arrest powers. IOW, citizens have the same arrest powers.

The police though have the state and their union backing them and (generally) know how to use the process better. They also have apparent authority that smooths over the process in many instances.

All of that said, DO NOT ATTEMPT A CITIZEN’S ARREST UNLESS YOU REALLY KNOW THE LAWS AND WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

That’s not legal advice. That’s common sense and dealing with reality!

[rey]

No. Most police do not have powers that exceed the citizen’s. I remember hearing on the Josey the Outlaw https://www.youtube.com/user/JosieTheOutlaw1
that police should not do anything in uniform that citizens may not do. I like that.

[DakotaGator]

Your; "The police though have the state and their union backing them and (generally) know how to use the process better. They also have apparent authority that smooths over the process in many instances.

Indeed. Importantly, sworn officers posses "sovereign immunity" from prosecution as agents of the state. Regular citizens do not. This is not absolute. But it is a huge difference.