What is the primary reason for conducting field interrogations based on reasonable suspicion?

Conducting field interrogations based on reasonable suspicion primarily serves to ensure officer and public safety by allowing an officer to frisk for weapons. When an officer has reasonable suspicion that a person may be involved in criminal activity and could potentially pose a danger, the officer may conduct a limited pat-down or frisk of the person's outer clothing. This process is in line with the principles established by the U.S. Supreme Court in Terry v. Ohio, which allows officers to ensure their safety and the safety of others while engaging with an individual.

The focus here is on managing potential risks and ensuring safety during the encounter. This limited frisk is not intended to be a thorough search; rather, it aims to quickly ascertain whether the individual is armed. Therefore, the primary purpose of field interrogations based on reasonable suspicion is closely tied to officer safety through the ability to check for weapons.