Last Updated on May 13, 2025 @ 18:52:06 PM.
If you’re having trouble with learning how to arrest in The Precinct and clear the streets of the worst of Averno City’s worst in The Precinct, this guide is for you. Fallen Tree Games’ take on a police simulator can be a little confusing when it comes to nailing every arrest you make as Nick Cordell. But that does not mean it’s impossible to do so. All it takes is a bit of attention to detail and engaging with the game’s mechanics. Let’s dive in!
How to Arrest in The Precinct
As you roam the streets of Averno City while on patrol, you are sure to find that many of its denizens seem to think that the law does not apply to them. It’s your job as rookie police officer Nick Cordell to set them straight – and rack up a ton of rewards for making those arrests the way you were meant to.
The first step in how to arrest in The Precinct is to ensure that the suspect is aware of their rights. You get the option to “Read Rights” as soon as you are cuffing a suspect. However, that could be easy to miss in the heat of the moment if you’re not careful. As a rule of thumb, look for the prompt every time you get the option to Restrain a suspect, ensuring that you do not miss out on the XP rewards you get every time you do it. 50 XP may be small, but with the number of people you’re going to put away, it certainly adds up!
Next, you’re going to want to run an ID Check on your suspect. It’s important that you do this BEFORE you search them, as there’s a penalty involved if you don’t. It’s also a great way to find out if your perp has any outstanding warrants that you can then add to their list of offences.
With that out of the way, Searching the suspect comes next. You are likely to turn up illegal narcotics, weapons, counterfeit goods, or currency, and even crucial evidence about high-ranking gang members in the process. In the event of an assault, mugging, or vandalism, remember to check if the suspect has dropped anything in the immediate vicinity and pick it up as evidence.
It’s now time to resolve the arrest, which you can do by selecting the appropriate option and heading over to the Add Offences list. Here, make sure you only select crimes that apply to the situation, as you lose XP for every wrong option you select. For instance, selecting Evading Arrest when a suspect has cooperated with your investigation reflects badly on the ACPD and on your own record. Pay attention to the left side of your screen and don’t forget to mark offences from outstanding warrants or illegal possessions that come up in ID Check and Search procedures
It’s finally time to arrest your suspect or issue a fine for their crime if applicable. Choose the option to arrest your suspect, and once that’s done, interact with them to bring up the Escort menu. You can either bring them into the ACPD yourself or call in one of your fellow officers to take them in. In most cases, it’s a good bet to call in an Escort Unit, as doing so nets you some bonus XP.
Following these steps on how to arrest in The Precinct should help you rise up the ranks and become a police officer worth the title, while the XP you earn can help you unlock cooler weapons, vehicles, and skills as you take on Averno’s criminals without fear.
For more Thumb Wars gaming coverage, check out our tips on making your time in Averno City a lot easier or our review of The Precinct.
With a passion for gaming that is equaled only by his love for writing, Varun has either a controller, keyboard, or a guitar in his hands when he is not out exploring the middle of nowhere on a motorcycle. Soulslikes, RPGs, and action-adventure titles keep him awake at night and get him out of bed in the morning. He will never stop lamenting the lack of a Bloodborne sequel even as he spends another couple of hours exploring the Lands Between in Elden Ring.
