What does "reasonable suspicion" allow law enforcement officers to do?

"Reasonable suspicion" is a legal standard that enables law enforcement officers to stop and briefly question individuals if they have specific and articulable facts that lead them to believe that a person may be involved in criminal activity. This standard is less rigorous than "probable cause," which is required for an arrest or obtaining a search warrant.

When officers have reasonable suspicion, they can initiate what is often termed a "stop and frisk," allowing them to engage with individuals to inquire about their behavior or situation. It's important to note that this interaction must be based on observed behavior or credible information that would lead a trained officer to suspect that something unlawful may be occurring.

In contrast, the other options listed imply more intrusive actions that require a higher legal threshold. For instance, conducting a full search without a warrant necessitates probable cause, and making an immediate arrest requires evidence supporting that the person has committed a crime. Engaging in surveillance without cause also suggests a lack of suspicion that is necessary to justify such actions. Therefore, the ability to stop and briefly question individuals is the appropriate application of reasonable suspicion in law enforcement practices.