Which term describes the act of securing a suspect before transport?

The act of securing a suspect before transport is best described as an arrest. When an officer takes a suspect into custody, this involves the formal process in which law enforcement takes control of an individual's freedom due to a suspected criminal action. During an arrest, officers are required to follow specific protocols, which may include handcuffing the suspect and informing them of their rights, typically referred to as Miranda rights. This step is crucial, as it legally marks the beginning of the suspect's interaction with the criminal justice system and is vital for ensuring their rights are respected throughout the process.

While the terms custody, restraint, and detainment may relate to aspects of managing or controlling a suspect, they do not fully encapsulate the formal procedure and legal implications that come with an arrest. Custody often refers to the state of being detained after an arrest has occurred, while restraint focuses on the physical means of securing a person, like handcuffs. Detainment can indicate a temporary holding without necessarily leading to an arrest. Therefore, "arrest" is the most accurate term for the act of securing a suspect before transport.