National Law Enforcement Certification Practice Test

Stop-and-frisk is about a brief, non-intrusive police stop grounded in reasonable suspicion that the person is involved in criminal activity. The stop is temporary and can be followed by a frisk—a quick pat-down of the outer clothing—to check for weapons if the officer believes the person may be armed and dangerous. This concept, rooted in the Terry v. Ohio ruling, aims to balance public safety with individual rights by allowing a minimal intrusion to determine risk. The other terms refer to different ideas: consent means voluntary permission to search, judicial review is when courts examine government actions, and opening statements occur at the start of a trial.