What is indicated by the term "stop and frisk"?

The term "stop and frisk" refers to a brief investigatory stop of a person by police based on reasonable suspicion. This practice allows law enforcement officers to temporarily detain an individual if they have specific, articulable reasons to believe that the person may be involved in criminal activity or present a threat to public safety. During this encounter, officers may conduct a limited pat-down of the person's outer clothing to check for weapons or contraband. This procedure is designed to balance individual rights with the need for police to ensure safety and investigate potential criminal behavior.

The context of the term comes from the Supreme Court case Terry v. Ohio, which established the legal framework for such stops, underscoring the importance of reasonable suspicion rather than probable cause. This distinction is crucial in understanding the legal boundaries within which police operate during encounters with the public.