How should an officer conduct a Terry stop?

To conduct a Terry stop, an officer must be able to articulate reasonable suspicion that a person may be involved in criminal activity. This legal standard arises from the landmark Supreme Court case Terry v. Ohio, which established that officers are permitted to briefly detain a person for questioning if they have a reasonable belief based on specific facts or circumstances that the individual is engaged in, or about to engage in, criminal behavior.

This reasonable suspicion does not require the higher standard of probable cause necessary for an arrest or search warrant; instead, it is based on the officer's observations and experience. The ability to make an on-the-spot judgment on the safety and legality of the stop is crucial in a Terry stop context, ensuring that police officers can act quickly to prevent potential crime or ensure the safety of themselves and the public.

The other choices do not align with the requirements for a Terry stop. Creating a formal arrest warrant or searching an individual immediately would exceed the scope of a stop based on reasonable suspicion. Additionally, while obtaining consent can be a part of police interactions in certain situations, it is not a requisite for a lawful Terry stop.