What does the term "mere suspicion" refer to?

The term "mere suspicion" refers to a feeling of intuition without concrete evidence. In the context of law enforcement and legal standards, mere suspicion indicates that an officer has a general hunch or belief about a person's potential involvement in criminal activity, but lacks sufficient facts or evidence to justify action such as an arrest or search. This standard is generally understood to be less substantial than probable cause and does not provide the legal grounds necessary for an intervention.

In professional practice, officers must differentiate between mere suspicion and stronger evidentiary standards like reasonable suspicion or probable cause, which require more concrete indicators before taking action. This understanding is crucial for officers to operate within the legal framework and uphold individuals' rights.