How do police officers establish reasonable suspicion?

Police officers establish reasonable suspicion through specific and articulable facts regarding criminal activity. This standard requires that officers have particular, objective reasons to suspect that a person is involved in criminal activity, which can include observable behavior, tips from informants, or information from previous encounters. The emphasis is on the need for concrete facts rather than mere speculation or instinct.

This approach helps to ensure that reasonable suspicion is grounded in reality, providing a solid foundation for further investigative actions, such as brief stops and questioning. It recognizes that while police officers must be observant and use their training, their actions must be justified by specific circumstances that can be articulated and understood in relation to the overall context of the situation at hand.