What is a common requirement for law enforcement officers when making an arrest?

Ensuring probable cause exists is a fundamental requirement for law enforcement officers during an arrest. Probable cause means that there are reasonable grounds for believing that a person has committed a crime, which protects individuals from arbitrary arrests. This legal standard ensures that officers have enough factual evidence or reasonable inferences to justify the arrest, thereby safeguarding the rights of citizens and maintaining the integrity of the law enforcement process. Without probable cause, an arrest could be deemed unlawful, leading to potential legal consequences for the officer and the department.