Which action is allowed when the officer only has mere suspicion?

• A. Detaining a person for 24 hours without articulable facts.
• B. Performing a full search without consent.
• C. Arresting without probable cause.
• D. Performing license plate checks, surveillance, watching for additional facts, and initiating a police-citizen encounter where the person can walk away.

Answer: (D)

With only reasonable suspicion, an officer can pursue a limited, non-coercive line of investigation. This includes actions that help gather more facts without turning into a full enforcement seizure. Checking license plates is a routine, non-intrusive step that can confirm ownership, registration, or warrants. Surveillance and watching for additional facts are simply observing to build a clearer picture of what’s happening. Initiating a police-citizen encounter where the person can walk away is a voluntary, non-detained interaction that allows questioning or dialogue without forcing the person to stay or submit to a search. These steps fit the level of suspicion because they are designed to investigate further while preserving the person’s freedom to leave.

Detaining someone for 24 hours without articulable facts would require more than suspicion—essentially probable cause or a valid legal basis. A full search without consent also requires a warrant or a recognized exception, and arresting without probable cause is not permissible.