Under what condition can officers utilize reasonable suspicion?

Officers can utilize reasonable suspicion based on specific facts or circumstances. This standard allows law enforcement to engage in a brief stop or detention of an individual when they have a particularized and objective basis for suspecting that the person may be involved in criminal activity. Unlike probable cause, which requires a higher degree of certainty, reasonable suspicion can be formed based on less concrete evidence and often involves the officer's observations, experience, and training.

The necessity for specific facts or circumstances means that officers cannot act on vague hunches or general suspicions; there must be a clear, articulable reason that justifies the suspicion. This principle serves to balance the need for effective policing with individuals' rights against arbitrary intrusion. By requiring a factual basis for suspicion, this standard helps ensure that police stops are based on reasonable, observable behaviors rather than discrimination or bias.

In contrast, other options indicate conditions that do not align with the established legal standards for reasonable suspicion and would not be valid justifications for an officer's actions.