Public Encounters

One of the most common activities of a law enforcement professional is encounters with the public. If the officer has facts to support that an individual is potentially dangerous, the officer is permitted to proceed according toTerry v. Ohio. In these encounters the officer must not act in such a way that escalates the situation but for the safety of those in the area and the officer's own safety, must also ensure that the individual does not have any weapons. Discuss how an officer can both do their job and not escalate the situation.