What principle relates to officer's ability to temporarily detain a person for questioning?

The principle that allows an officer to temporarily detain a person for questioning is reasonable suspicion. This standard is lower than probable cause and is based on specific and articulable facts that a law enforcement officer can observe. Reasonable suspicion permits officers to stop and question an individual if the officer has a belief based on those observed facts that the person may be involved in criminal activity.

Reasonable suspicion is essential in maintaining a balance between individual rights and law enforcement interests, allowing officers to act on instincts developed through training and experience. It recognizes the importance of proactive policing while still respecting constitutional protections against unreasonable seizures.

In contrast, immediate identification involves the rules surrounding identifying individuals during stops; necessity of probable cause relates to the higher standard required for making arrests or conducting searches; and informed consent typically pertains to obtaining permission from individuals for searches or interviews. These principles are related to law enforcement but do not specifically pertain to the ability to temporarily detain someone solely for questioning, making reasonable suspicion the correct focus in this context.