What must an officer articulate to justify a stop of a suspect?

To justify a stop of a suspect, an officer must articulate reasonable suspicion. This standard allows law enforcement to briefly detain an individual for investigative purposes if the officer has specific, articulable facts that suggest the person is involved in criminal activity. Reasonable suspicion is a lower threshold than probable cause, which is necessary for making an arrest or obtaining a search warrant.

When an officer observes behavior or circumstances that reasonably indicate potential criminal activity, such as evasive actions, proximity to criminal activity, or other relevant factors, they can initiate a stop to further investigate the situation. This principle comes from the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. Importantly, reasonable suspicion does not require proof of a crime, merely an objective basis for believing that criminal activity may be afoot.

In contrast, suspicion of illegal activity might suggest a concern but does not meet the standard for a stop, while probable cause is a requirement for arrest rather than a stop. A criminal record does not, by itself, justify a stop; it is the totality of circumstances that informs reasonable suspicion.