What does the term 'stop and frisk' primarily refer to?

The term 'stop and frisk' primarily refers to a brief detention and limited search for weapons. This police practice allows law enforcement officers to stop an individual based on reasonable suspicion of criminal activity and, if they believe the individual may be armed, to conduct a quick pat-down of the person's outer clothing. The core purpose of this procedure is to ensure officer safety and prevent immediate threats from weapons.

This practice is rooted in the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, but it also recognizes that the police may need to take precautionary measures in specific situations. The notion of "reasonable suspicion" is essential here, distinguishing it from an arrest which requires probable cause.

A full search of an individual would imply a more extensive examination, which is not what 'stop and frisk' entails. Similarly, a request for identification is a separate interaction and does not encompass the physical search aspect that is key to 'stop and frisk.' An arrest involves a much higher standard of evidence and implies a formal charge, which also sets it apart from the brief and limited nature of a stop and frisk situation.