What is an example of behavior that may justify a frisk during a Terry stop?

What is an example of behavior that may justify a frisk during a Terry stop?

• A. Suspicious, furtive movements toward clothing where a weapon might be concealed.
• B. Quiet and compliant behavior.
• C. Verbal consent to search.
• D. Accessing a wallet slowly.

Answer: (A)

During a Terry stop, an officer may perform a frisk if there is reasonable suspicion that the person is armed and dangerous. The frisk is a quick pat-down of the outer clothing to check for a weapon. The behavior most likely to justify this is suspicious, furtive movements toward clothing where a weapon might be concealed—these movements suggest the person could be reaching for or concealing a weapon, creating a safety risk for the officer. Quiet and compliant behavior does not raise that level of concern, and verbal consent to search ends the need for a frisk. Merely accessing a wallet slowly might be cautious, but on its own it doesn’t establish the kind of risk that justifies a protective frisk.

During a Terry stop, an officer may perform a frisk if there is reasonable suspicion that the person is armed and dangerous. The frisk is a quick pat-down of the outer clothing to check for a weapon. The behavior most likely to justify this is suspicious, furtive movements toward clothing where a weapon might be concealed—these movements suggest the person could be reaching for or concealing a weapon, creating a safety risk for the officer.

Quiet and compliant behavior does not raise that level of concern, and verbal consent to search ends the need for a frisk. Merely accessing a wallet slowly might be cautious, but on its own it doesn’t establish the kind of risk that justifies a protective frisk.