What must an officer have to legally perform a frisk on a person?

To legally perform a frisk on an individual, an officer must have reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. This standard means that the officer has specific and articulable facts that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the individual may be armed and dangerous. The concept of reasonable suspicion is crucial in law enforcement, as it balances the need for officer safety with the constitutional rights of individuals.

When an officer has reasonable suspicion, they can conduct a limited pat-down of the person's outer clothing to search for weapons. This practice is intended to ensure the safety of the officer and others around them, rather than to gather evidence of a crime.

Other options do not provide the legal grounds necessary for conducting a frisk. Consent would mean the individual agrees to the search, which is not a requirement for a frisk. A warrant is generally required for searches to protect individuals' rights, and a written report of prior behavior does not establish any current suspicion of criminal activity. Thus, it is the presence of reasonable suspicion that legitimizes the officer's action in this scenario.