Which statement is true about Terry protective frisk?

Which statement is true about Terry protective frisk?

• A. It is a full search permitted on probable cause.
• B. It requires prior approval from a supervisor.
• C. A Terry protective frisk allows a limited pat-down for weapons when there is a reasonable belief of danger.
• D. It cannot be used in any domestic settings.

Answer: (C)

A Terry protective frisk is a safety-focused, limited search. It lets an officer perform a quick pat-down of the outer clothing to check for weapons when there is a reasonable belief that the person may be armed and dangerous. The goal is to protect the officer and others during a stop based on reasonable suspicion, not to uncover evidence or conduct a full search. Because its purpose is safety and its scope is narrow, it does not require probable cause or a full-blown search, and it does not require supervisor approval. It can be used in various settings, including domestic ones, whenever the circumstances give rise to a reasonable concern for danger. Therefore, the statement that best captures Terry protective frisk is that it allows a limited pat-down for weapons when there is a reasonable belief of danger.

A Terry protective frisk is a safety-focused, limited search. It lets an officer perform a quick pat-down of the outer clothing to check for weapons when there is a reasonable belief that the person may be armed and dangerous. The goal is to protect the officer and others during a stop based on reasonable suspicion, not to uncover evidence or conduct a full search. Because its purpose is safety and its scope is narrow, it does not require probable cause or a full-blown search, and it does not require supervisor approval. It can be used in various settings, including domestic ones, whenever the circumstances give rise to a reasonable concern for danger. Therefore, the statement that best captures Terry protective frisk is that it allows a limited pat-down for weapons when there is a reasonable belief of danger.