Which of the following is a civil liability that can arise from performing an arrest?

• A. False arrest
• B. Civil rights violation
• C. All of the above
• D. Defamation of character

Answer: (C)

A single arrest can expose an officer to multiple civil liabilities. False arrest happens when someone is detained without the necessary legal authority or probable cause, leading to a civil claim for false imprisonment. A civil rights violation can occur when a law enforcement officer, acting under color of law, deprives a person of constitutional or federal rights—such as unlawful detention or the use of excessive force—often pursued under 42 U.S.C. 1983. Defamation of character can arise if false statements about the arrestee are communicated to others or published in reports, harming the person’s reputation and giving rise to a civil claim.

Because each of these scenarios is a potential consequence linked to performing an arrest, the best answer is that all of the listed liabilities can arise.