Regina police don't want citizens taking the law into their own hands

The Regina Police Service is concerned about people who are taking the law into their own hands.

In a media release sent out Friday, police said they have been made aware of people who call themselves predator hunters, who try to catch online child predators.

The release came at the same time a man was charged with using a computer to lure a child.

Police said they are concerned about people running these types of operations.

Because the average person is not trained in the rules of evidence, there is a risk to the public and to the suspect, police investigations for child luring are very specialized and arrests like these may take officers away from important cases.

Police said there may be short-term gain with an arrest, but the potential for violence, injury, and compromised investigations outweigh any benefits.

Overall, police urge anyone who sees anything suspicious online to contact them instead.