Criminal Code and Federal/Provincial Statutes in Policing
Classification and powers
Offences are indictable, summary conviction, or hybrid (Crown elects). Classification drives arrest, release, and limitation issues.
Arrest without warrant (s. 495(1)) requires reasonable grounds and one of four limbs: the person has committed or is about to commit an indictable offence; the officer finds the person committing a criminal offence; there are reasonable grounds to believe the person is named in a warrant; or there are reasonable grounds to believe the person is about to breach the peace. Section 495(2) directs that arrest not be used where a summons is adequate, unless identity, evidence, or public safety requires detention.
Release and appearance: officers release on an appearance notice or summons (s. 498) or, where the officer in charge is satisfied detention is unnecessary, on a recognizance (s. 499). A person not released must be brought before a justice without unreasonable delay and within 24 hours (s. 503).
Search and seizure: warrants under s. 487, telewarrants under s. 487.1, exigent entry under s. 487.11, and search incident to arrest. Charter s. 8 governs reasonableness; s. 10(b) guarantees the right to counsel without delay.
Statutes you must know: Youth Criminal Justice Act (ages 12–17, extrajudicial measures, enhanced statement protections), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Highway Traffic Act, Mental Health Act, Trespass to Property Act, Child, Youth and Family Services Act, Cannabis Control Act.
Traps
"An officer may arrest for any offence committed in their presence" is false - summary conviction offences carry identity/evidence conditions. Do not conflate the 24-hour appearance requirement with the arrest decision.
Rule of thumb
Before every arrest: grounds + a 495(1) limb + a 495(2) check.