When is a frisk justified according to standard procedures?

• A. When the suspect is compliant
• B. When the officer has back-up
• C. When there are safety concerns
• D. When there is probable cause of a crime

Answer: (C)

A frisk, or a pat-down search of an individual, is primarily justified when there are safety concerns. This standard is rooted in the principles established by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Terry v. Ohio, where it was determined that officers can perform a limited search for weapons if they have a reasonable belief that a suspect might be armed and dangerous.

The rationale is to ensure officer safety as well as public safety when approaching potentially dangerous individuals. This is particularly relevant in situations where an officer perceives a threat due to the suspect's behavior, the circumstances of the encounter, or other contextual clues that indicate a risk of violence.

While presence of back-up might enhance an officer's safety, it does not itself justify a frisk. Similarly, a suspect being compliant does not negate the need for safety assessments that might prompt a frisk. Additionally, probable cause of a crime leads to arrest and possibly more thorough searches, but it is not the standard for a frisk, which focuses specifically on immediate safety concerns.