What is a "stop and frisk" in law enforcement?

A "stop and frisk" refers to a brief, non-intrusive pat-down of an individual by law enforcement officers based on reasonable suspicion that the person may be armed and dangerous. This procedure allows officers to ensure their safety and the safety of others in situations where they believe that a person may pose a threat. The key component of a stop and frisk is the reasonable suspicion standard, which is lower than the probable cause required for an arrest or a search warrant.

This practice is grounded in the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures. However, the officers must articulate specific facts that led to their suspicion to justify conducting a stop and frisk.

In contrast, the other options describe fundamentally different legal processes. A formal arrest involves taking a person into custody based on probable cause, a search warrant procedure requires a legally obtained warrant based on probable cause to conduct a search, and a full body search for weapons typically necessitates more substantial justification than what is required for a stop and frisk. Therefore, the definition of a "stop and frisk" accurately aligns with the choice that highlights its nature as a brief, cautious pat-down based on reasonable suspicion.