What is necessary for an officer to perform an investigatory stop?

An investigatory stop, often referred to as a Terry stop, requires reasonable suspicion that a person is involved in criminal activity. This standard is less than probable cause and allows officers to stop and question individuals when they have specific and articulable facts suggesting that criminal conduct is afoot.

In this context, reasonable suspicion is based on the totality of the circumstances and draws from an officer's training, experience, and observations. It allows law enforcement to address potential threats to public safety or intervene in situations that may lead to criminal behavior without the higher burden of proof required for an arrest, which is probable cause.

This concept is crucial in balancing individual rights with the need for law enforcement to maintain public safety, as it recognizes the importance of proactive policing while still safeguarding the rights of citizens against unwarranted intrusions. Thus, reasonable suspicion is essential for an investigatory stop, differentiating it from situations that require a higher threshold of evidence, such as probable cause for an arrest.