What tier involves voluntary contacts between an officer and a citizen?

The tier that involves voluntary contacts between an officer and a citizen is Tier I. This tier is characterized by interactions where the citizen is not obliged to engage with the officer, and the officer does not have any particular legal authority to compel the citizen to stop or answer questions.

In Tier I situations, the citizen is free to leave at any time, which distinguishes these encounters from other tiers where law enforcement may have a more significant level of authority. These voluntary contacts can take the form of casual conversations or informational inquiries, and the emphasis is on the consent and willingness of the citizen to participate in the interaction.

Understanding the nature of these tiered contacts is crucial for both law enforcement and citizens to ensure that rights are respected and that proper procedures are followed in various types of encounters. The other tiers represent varying degrees of authority and legal justification, moving from voluntary engagement to investigative stops and custodial arrests.