What is required for a police officer to conduct a frisk?

To conduct a frisk, a police officer must have reasonable suspicion that the individual is armed and poses a threat to the officer's safety or the safety of others. This legal standard is lower than probable cause, which is required for making arrests or conducting searches.

Reasonable suspicion is based on specific and articulable facts, which can come from the officer's observations, experience, or information that suggests criminal activity is afoot. For instance, if an officer observes suspicious behavior or has information about a person previously involved in violent incidents, this may satisfy the requirement for reasonable suspicion.

In contrast, proof of a crime or a warrant for arrest are not necessary to conduct a frisk. While probable cause refers to a higher threshold usually required for search warrants or arrests, it does not apply to the initial brief stop and frisk permitted under the Terry v. Ohio decision, which established that officers can conduct such searches for weapons under reasonable suspicion. This precise legal framework helps balance the interests of public safety with individual rights.