What must officers have to conduct a lawful stop and frisk?

To conduct a lawful stop and frisk, officers must have reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. This standard is less than probable cause but more than a mere hunch. Reasonable suspicion is based on specific and articulable facts that an officer observes, which lead them to believe that a person may be involved in criminal activity.

This standard allows officers to temporarily detain a person for questioning, and if the officer has a reasonable belief that the person may be armed and dangerous, they may also conduct a limited pat-down of the individual’s outer clothing for weapons. The emphasis on reasonable suspicion helps to balance the need for effective policing with individuals' rights against unwarranted searches and detentions.

The other options suggest conditions that do not meet the legal standard for a stop and frisk; consent, for example, is not necessary for such stops, nor is it required for officers to verify a person's identity before engaging in a stop and frisk. Probable cause is a higher standard and usually applies to arrests rather than mere investigations, highlighting the distinct legal thresholds necessary for different types of police encounters.