If you report a crime why would police take picture of u and keep u in for hours

Often times criminals call in crimes they commit attempting to throw suspicion off of themselves
Many even participate in search's ,act concerned
when they know exactly where the body is ,or the missing person just for a for instance .

Until they verified your alibi ,you may have been a suspect
your pic would have been on a BOLO
**Be on the look out for **,sent to all law enforcement agencies
just in case they let you go to soon ,and later found out you did indeed commit the crime
they have a current pic of you to circulate

Thank you for the BA
and if this was not just a "Hypothetical Question"
Everything turned out all right ,they found the guilty party.

Huh?

Procedural code followed at some places to make sure to identify the person who reported it. It would be safe with them. They are not authorised to use it anyhow.

Taking a photo is a legal activity, and law enforcement has no less rights than an average person?

They need to know all they can to proceed with the case appropriately.

To get some time to verify whether you report the truth or are you a falsehood ..

There is way more to this story than being told here.

Why would they take your photo?

Strange

Because theyre confused