During a Terry Stop, what information can an officer request?

During a Terry Stop, an officer is allowed to ask for the individual's name, address, and an explanation of their actions. This framework is rooted in the principle that officers need to establish the identity of a person they reasonably suspect is involved in criminal activity and understand the circumstances surrounding their behavior to ensure the safety of both the officer and the public.

The request for a name and address serves to identify the individual, while asking for an explanation of their actions provides context and aids the officer in assessing whether there is a legitimate reason for the individual's behavior. This is consistent with the goal of Terry Stops, which allow brief detentions based on reasonable suspicion, not requiring probable cause to make an arrest.

In contrast, while other options may involve helpful information in different contexts, they are not protocols established during a Terry Stop. For example, asking for a social security number is not appropriate under the limited scope allowed during a brief investigatory stop. Similarly, vehicle registration details or employment information are not required or typical during the immediate questioning phase of a Terry Stop. The emphasis is on gathering essential identification and context not a deep dive into personal records or specifics that are not immediately relevant to the officer's inquiry about suspicious behavior.