What is the limit on a private actor's use of force during a citizen's arrest?

The limit on a private actor's use of force during a citizen's arrest is that the force must be reasonable and proportional to the situation. This principle acknowledges the need for individuals to protect themselves and others while also ensuring that the response to a perceived threat or offense does not escalate unnecessarily.

In the context of a citizen's arrest, the law allows ordinary citizens to detain someone they believe has committed a crime, but only to the extent that the force applied is necessary to effect that arrest and not greater than what is needed to prevent harm to themselves or others. For example, if someone is attempting to flee after committing a minor offense, using excessive physical force or weapons would likely be considered unreasonable. The threshold for what qualifies as "reasonable and proportional" may vary depending on the circumstances, such as the severity of the offense and the level of threat posed by the suspect.

This emphasis on reasonable and proportional force helps balance the rights of both the individual making the arrest and the individual being arrested, protecting against potential abuse of power.