What action do police officers take when they make an arrest?

When police officers make an arrest, the primary action they take is to take control of a person. This entails physically and legally detaining an individual suspected of committing a crime to ensure their compliance and to safeguard the officer and the public. Taking control involves various steps, depending on the situation, that may include verbal commands, physical restraint, and managing the suspect's movements to prevent any potential harm or escape.

While handcuffing the suspect is a common procedure during an arrest to ensure their safety and prevent them from fleeing or causing harm, it is not the initial action of taking control. Issuing a citation is typically associated with minor offenses or traffic violations and doesn’t involve taking a suspect into custody. Calling for backup may be necessary in certain scenarios, especially if the situation appears dangerous or if there are multiple suspects, but it is not an inherent part of making an arrest itself. Therefore, taking control of a person is the most accurate representation of the action taken during an arrest.