In a stop and frisk scenario, what must an officer articulate?

In a stop and frisk scenario, an officer must articulate reasonable suspicion. This standard allows officers to detain an individual temporarily and perform a limited search for weapons if they have specific and articulable facts that lead them to believe the person may be armed and involved in criminal activity. Reasonable suspicion is a lower threshold than probable cause, which is required for an arrest. It focuses on the totality of circumstances and the officer's observations, experience, and training to justify the stop and frisk action.

This requirement is rooted in Fourth Amendment jurisprudence, which aims to balance the need for police to protect themselves and the public with the individual's right to privacy and freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. Proper articulation of reasonable suspicion helps ensure that the officer's actions are justified and legally defensible.