Field interview

Question 1

There are three levels at which an officer may intrude upon an individual if there lacks probable cause to make an arrest or conduct a search:

Answer 1

 Conversation
 Temporary detention (Terry Stop)
 Stop and frisk (Terry Frisk)

Question 2

Temporary Detention (Terry Stop)

Answer 2

When an officer has articulable suspicion that leads them to believe that an individual may have just committed, is committing, or is about to commit a crime, the officer can stop and temporarily detain the individual to inquire about that individuals conduct or get additional information.

Question 3

Officers may consider the following circumstances in determining whether articulable suspicion exists to justify a stop (the list is not all-inclusive):

Answer 3

The actions, appearance, or demeanor of the individual
􀂉 The time of day or night
􀂉 Clothing of the individual, including suspicious bulges appearing through the clothing or objects carried
􀂉 Inappropriateness of the presence of the individual in a given location
􀂉 The individual’s proximity to a known crime scene
􀂉 The officer’s prior knowledge of the circumstances (for example, the individual’s prior record, or information from an informant or third party)

Question 4

Stop and Frisk (Terry Frisk)

Answer 4

A stop and frisk (Terry frisk) is lawful only when the officer has met the requirements of a temporary detention (“Terry stop”) and has articulable suspicion that the individual may be armed and dangerous.

Question 5

A pat down is

Answer 5

the suspect’s outer garments to determine if that individual is carrying a weapon that may harm the officer.

Question 6

The officer may remove an item detected in this pat down if one of the following conditions exists:

Answer 6

􀂉 The officer reasonably believes that the item located is a weapon
􀂉 It is apparent, based upon feeling through the outer garments alone, that the item is contraband or evidence of a crime

Question 7

Terry v. Ohio

Answer 7

When officers observe unusual conduct and they reasonably conclude, in light of their experience, that criminal activity may be afoot and an individual may be armed andpresently dangerous, the officers shall identify themselves and make inquiries of such individual.
If nothing in the inquiry dispels the reasonable fear for the safety of themselves and others, the officers may conduct a carefully limited search of the individual’s outer clothing in an attempt to discover weapons. Such searches are reasonable and any evidence obtained is admissible.