4. Encounters & Investigative Detentions Flashcards
Who ultimately reviews my decision to DETAIN and/or FRISK
Ultimately subject to review by a JUDGE.
During my investigative detention is the suspect free to leave?
No, since a detention is brief, it does not to need to be based on probable cause like an arrest. However, it’s still must be based on something more substantial than a hunch, the middle ground between hunch and probable cause is reasonable suspicion.
If I have reasonable suspicion, do I automatically get to frisk?
Absolutely not. A frisk requires reasonable suspicion that a suspect is armed & dangerous while committing a crime.
What do police need for a seizure?
A show of authority: (RPC)
R-Restraint
P-Pursuit
C-Command
A detention or seizure occurs when a police officer engages in a show of authority.
What is the most obvious detention?
When an officer physically restrains a person
Incidental touching is not a detention
Blocking the path of a suspect/vehicle , is considered a detention
Under article 14, Officer seize a citizen when they initiate this with the intent to detain them for questioning:
A PURSUIT
FYI, the opposite of pursuit is surveillance. Surveillance is not a detention because there is no assertion of authority.
Officers must consider their suspect’s age in deciding whether behavior constitutes a detention.
Officers must anticipate juveniles will react differently than adults to police authority, juveniles view police communications as more coercive than adults
Is it considered a show of authority if officers run after a person?
Officers must engage in a show of authority even if they’re running after somebody also, following an individual is not a detention officers may approach or follow suspect in their cruiser
Approaching a stationary vehicle to check, its occupants is not a detention typically
Following a motor vehicle and checking, the status of the stationary, moving vehicle is not a detention
Police do not detain an individual when they identify themselves and ask questions in a normal tone of voice
A detention only occurs when an officer speaks in an authoritative manner
An officer’s unspoken decision to detain is irrelevant in deciding what?
Whether a citizen has been seized, the sole issue is how the officer outwardly communicates.
Is reasonable suspicion required to ask someone to show their hands?
This request is not so intimidating that it converts an encounter into a detention requiring reasonable suspicion
Officers may also confiscate a visible weapon during their search interaction with a citizen
Someone searching themselves is not a detention
What is the opposite of normal communication?
AUTHORITATIVE communication. A detention does occur when a police comment makes a person believe he or she must stay.
Is checking somebody’s identification is a seizure?
Yes. This is because nobody will walk away once police take a license to go run it. However, if Police asked for a name and date of birth, they may go run that in WMS and that is not a seizure.
With the understanding that reasonable suspicion is needed for an investigative detention. How must this be initiated?
Reasonable force, depending on the situation. Proportionate force may be used to conduct a lawful detention.
What is needed for me to approach a situation with gun drawn?
Serious Potential Danger (SPD)
Specific information, suggesting a suspect, is armed, relevant criminal history to prior incidents, while keeping in mind, tactics and training (ready position versus pointing weapon).
What is legally acceptable for pre-arrest handcuffing?
Suspect is possibly armed
Suspect is a flight risk
Precarious location (alone on a roof example)
One-on-one or outnumbered (Also, may place uncuffed in the back of cruiser)
Nighttime interaction suspect is struggling with officer
Keep in mind, acts of restraint become improper in less dangerous situations
All of these above tactics implemented with reasonable force .
What limits the scope of an investigative detention?
Time, Activity, Location (TAL)
An investigative detention is limited by time, activity, and location. If officers exceeded its proper scope, they transform the detention into an invalid arrest lacking probable cause.
What is the time period for a detention?
There is no set time. It must take no longer than necessary to investigate the circumstances giving rise to the officer suspicion
Typically warning bells should go off after about 15 minutes
If too much time goes by, it could turn into an arrest
If you have reasonable suspicion, may you demand to see a suspect ID and check for outstanding warrants?
Yes, this is a permissible, investigative activity, check identity and warrants
However, if you lack, probably caused to arrest citizens, they do not have a general legal obligation to identify themselves, and may not be detained indefinitely
May I take a suspect photo and/or prints during an investigative detention?
Yes, this is permissible Supreme Court ruling provided that officers have reasonable suspicion and a reasonable basis for believing that fingerprints will establish or negate the suspect connection with that crime, and that this is a procedure carried out quickly
What is the most common way officers elevate from reasonable suspicion to probable cause?
A good field interview. Interview suspect and witnesses
Suspect provides implausible or false responses or
another source furnishes incriminating information.
Can I conduct a show up identification during a detention?
Yes, this is permissible more info on this in chapter 25