Under what circumstances may an officer conduct a limited frisk during an investigatory detention?

A limited frisk during an investigatory detention is permitted when the officer has reasonable suspicion that the individual is armed and dangerous. This principle is rooted in the need to ensure officer safety and the safety of others in the vicinity when there is a credible threat of harm. The "Terry stop" allows an officer to briefly detain a person for questioning based on reasonable suspicion of criminal activity, and if during that detention the officer perceives that the individual may be armed, they are justified in conducting a frisk for weapons.

The basis for this justification stems from the need to balance individual rights with the necessity of ensuring the safety of the officer and public. When an officer observes behavior or has information suggesting that a suspect may possess a weapon, the limited frisk seeks to prevent potential violence without violating the subject's Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. In this case, the officer's focus on reasonable suspicion specifically regarding the suspect's potential threat makes the action lawful and appropriate.