Which circumstance allows a pat down for weapons during a stop?

Which circumstance allows a pat down for weapons during a stop?

• A. The officer reasonably believes the individual may be armed with a weapon
• B. The officer merely dislikes the person's attitude
• C. The person is a known informant
• D. The officer has witnessed a traffic violation previously

Answer: (A)

During a stop, the officer may only perform a protective pat-down for weapons when there is a reasonable belief that the person may be armed and dangerous. This rule comes from the concept of a stop-and-frisk: the frisk is a narrow, safety-focused search of the outer clothing to feel for weapons, not a full blown search. The reason for this safeguard is to protect both the officer and the public when danger is possible. Mere dislike of someone’s attitude, without any indication the person might be armed, does not justify a frisk. Being a known informant or having witnessed a traffic violation previously also does not create the required reasonable suspicion that the individual is currently armed.

During a stop, the officer may only perform a protective pat-down for weapons when there is a reasonable belief that the person may be armed and dangerous. This rule comes from the concept of a stop-and-frisk: the frisk is a narrow, safety-focused search of the outer clothing to feel for weapons, not a full blown search. The reason for this safeguard is to protect both the officer and the public when danger is possible.

Mere dislike of someone’s attitude, without any indication the person might be armed, does not justify a frisk. Being a known informant or having witnessed a traffic violation previously also does not create the required reasonable suspicion that the individual is currently armed.