What part of I later confirmed what he told me about California law don't you understand... I have no doubt that the cops motivation was to avoid paperwork, though a distaste of street bums did also seem to play a part. That doesn't negate the simple fact that my pressing charges would have given the "bum" the ability to name me in a lawsuit... By not pressing charges I was effectively anonymous and he had no way to make use of the California statutes that would have allowed him to sue me, despite the fact that he attempted to assault me... Oh, I didn't ask him to charge the bum, I simply reported the assault...

I hate to break this to you, but many states have instituted laws that prevent criminals (or there families) from suing citizens who defend themselves. Those laws were created because such suits, though "unfair" can be successful... California code specifically states that such suits are possible... A fact that you are conveniently ignoring with your advice about citizen arrests... But I tire of this, by all means continue you vigilante ways. I frankly don't care what happens to anyone who resides in your cess pool of a state...