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A police officer can stop and detain a person if the officer has a reasonable suspicion the person is involved in a crime. Performing a "pat down" requires an additional level of suspicion that the person may be carrying a weapon that could be used to harm the officer. Examples could include

  • the person detained is a known or apparent member of a gang that routinely carries firearms,
  • the person fits the description of a suspect in an armed robbery where a firearm was displayed or used,
  • the person has a bulge in their clothing characteristic of a weapon.

Reasonable suspicion to stop and detain does not, in itself, amount to the level of suspicion required to do a pat down for weapons.

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13y ago
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6y ago

All the officer must have is "reasonable suspicion" that the person they are 'contacting' has, may have, or is about to commit, a crime. They are allowed to pat down the outer clothing of the individual in order to ensure their personal safety. This is known as a "Terry stop." (US Supreme Court case and decision - see: Terry v. Ohio)

The courts have consistently ruled that "reasonable suspicion' for a trained law enforcement officer amounts to less than that required of a normal citizen.

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Q: What is required for a police officer to pat down a person stopped on the street?
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