Detention is when a person or a piece of property is temporarily held or restrained by law enforcement.
Detention is different from an arrest. Detention usually occurs if a police officer has an immediate need to restrain a person's movement, such as if they need to be questioned due to suspected criminal activity.
A person who goes through detention will not have to answer to formal criminal charges (this only happens if the person is arrested). However, if a person is undergoing detention, they may be arrested if it is discovered that they are connected to a crime. In this case, they would then have to face criminal charges and possible punishments from the justice system.
Detentions do not always involve the use of force.