During a Terry stop, the officer must indicate what about the suspect regarding frisking?

In the context of a Terry stop, which is a brief detention for investigative purposes, an officer is permitted to conduct a frisk of a suspect if they have a reasonable suspicion that the person is armed and dangerous. This concept stems from the U.S. Supreme Court case Terry v. Ohio, which establishes the criteria for when such a stop can occur and under what circumstances a frisk is justified.

When an officer conducts a Terry stop, they must articulate their reasonable suspicion that the individual they are stopping may be armed. This is crucial as it allows the officer to ensure their own safety and the safety of others during the interaction. The officer does not need to prove that they know the suspect has a weapon, but they must demonstrate that there is a reasonable belief based on the circumstances that the suspect poses a threat.

Other options such as license status, prior charges, and physical attributes do not relevantly connect to the immediate concern for officer safety that justifies a frisk. The primary focus during a Terry stop is on the potential danger posed by the suspect, making the indication that the suspect may be armed the correct and critical element for allowing a frisk.