What is the term for taking a person into police custody?

The term for taking a person into police custody is "arrest." This legal action involves a law enforcement officer taking an individual into custody, often because they are suspected of committing a crime. An arrest typically requires probable cause, meaning the officer has a reasonable basis for believing that the individual has engaged in criminal activity. Once arrested, the individual may be charged with a crime and will go through the judicial process.

The other terms, while related to legal processes, do not signify the same action as an arrest. A citation refers to a written notice issued by law enforcement to a person to appear in court, usually for minor offenses. Summoning implies calling someone to appear in court but does not involve taking them into custody. Detainment refers to holding a person in custody temporarily, which may happen during an investigation, but it does not equate to the formal arrest process. Therefore, "arrest" is the distinct term that describes taking someone into police custody.