In determining liability, what action can citizens take when police are in hot pursuit of a suspect?

When police are in hot pursuit of a suspect, citizens have the authority to take reasonable actions to assist law enforcement in apprehending that suspect. Physically restraining the suspect can be justified under certain circumstances, particularly if a citizen believes that the suspect poses a threat to the safety of others or is attempting to evade law enforcement. This act is typically supported by the concept of a citizen's arrest, which allows private citizens to detain an individual if they witness a crime being committed or have a reasonable belief that the suspect has committed a crime.

In this context, the other options do not carry the same level of immediacy or authority in aiding law enforcement. Offering information to the police or reporting the suspect later, while valid actions, do not provide direct assistance during a critical moment of pursuit. Negotiating with the suspect could also prove dangerous and could potentially complicate the situation rather than effectively contributing to the apprehension of the suspect. Thus, physically restraining the suspect under appropriate circumstances when police are in hot pursuit is the most relevant and proactive option available to citizens in that moment.