You're off duty or have applied for the police force - you see a girl get sexually assaulted what do you do?

Question

Hey people..

I'm not an off duty officer but even if I was... in the city tonight I was walking down a street and seen a woman get her *** groped by a stranger. She told him where to go... (exchange of verbal insults then walked away) now what is the punishment for this guy who sexually assaulted this woman?

What should I of done? should I let it go if the woman is unwilling to press charges?

If I was an off duty officer do I have the right to grab the guy and ram him into a wall and then dial 911?

Let me know your thoughts... this is a common behavior on saturday nights within urban areas (drunken behavior)

Answer 1

I do not need to be a cop to tell that pervert off.

Answer 2

Maybe you could have done a citizen arrest..

Answer 3

It really isn't up to you to decide.  The victim is the one that must decide to press charges or not.  Not knowing who the people are, their relationship, and incidents leading up prior to what you saw are important facts that the victim has better knowledge of than you.

Answer 4

If a cop witnesses a crime, I don't think he needs anybody but himself to testify against the victim.

Answer 5

EDIT

Ok having read the other post I belive this sums up my thoughts on the issuse.

1)"Seems like the woman dealt with this ok"  

She told the drunk guy off and the guy left.  

2) Physical voilence seems a bit out of proportion.

Once the guy has walked away any physial volience is inapporatie (and you will get charged for assult). It the guy continued to harass her or was naked then that is another issuse. Often just threathing to bash they guy if he dose not leave is enough. You proably wouldnt have to actually hit him

3) Police are unlikely to do anything about it anyway

This is not exactly a high priority for police. You could call the police but it  will proabably would be a few hours before the respond.