Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Practice Exam

What must be established before a pat down or frisk can occur?

1. Probable cause by witness

2. Reasonable suspicion

3. Past records of the individual

4. Intention to search

The correct answer is: Reasonable suspicion

Before a pat down or frisk can occur, it is essential to establish reasonable suspicion. This legal standard allows law enforcement officers to conduct a limited search for weapons if they have specific and articulable facts suggesting that a person may be involved in criminal activity and poses a threat to the safety of the officer or others. The reasonable suspicion standard is lower than probable cause, which is necessary for making arrests or conducting more invasive searches. Reasonable suspicion typically arises from observations or reasonable inferences made by officers based on their training and experience. This can include behavior that is inconsistent with innocent activity or the presence of certain circumstances that may suggest criminal intent. Establishing reasonable suspicion ensures that the rights of individuals are respected while still providing necessary safety precautions for officers during encounters.