NCJ Number
188337
Date Published
May 2001
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This booklet is a police officer's handbook of policies and procedures.
Abstract
The booklet examines the question of limitations on the actions of police officers when they approach a person on the street who they feel might be a danger to their own [the officer's] safety. The booklet reviews the law of the case, United States v. Burton, and the decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. In summary, the court ruled that, in the absence of reasonable suspicion, an officer may not frisk a citizen merely because the officer feels uneasy about his own safety. It also provides legal commentary on an officer's approach to a person on the street; the right to ignore an officer; an officer placing hands on a citizen; facts to support reasonable suspicion; when a weapons search is justified; and frisk search after mere approach by officer. The booklet briefly discusses police responsibilities and procedures when investigating the physical abuse of vulnerable adults, defined as anyone over the age of 18 who requires assistance from another person due to a physical or mental deficiency. The booklet contains a test which can be used to gauge the retention and understanding of participants in groups discussing these issues.