What triggers a protective sweep?

• A. Reasonable suspicion that there are people in the area who may pose a threat.
• B. A confirmed warrant.
• C. A casual traffic stop.
• D. A request by the arrestee.

Answer: (A)

A protective sweep is allowed when officers have reasonable suspicion that there are other people in the area who may pose a threat. This means the trigger is an objectively founded concern based on specific facts that someone dangerous could be present, not just a general worry. The sweep is limited in scope and duration, focusing only on areas where a hidden person could be located and posed a risk to officers or others.

A confirmed warrant is not the trigger for a protective sweep; warrants relate to permitted searches or seizures, but the decision to sweep hinges on immediate safety concerns rather than the existence of a warrant. A casual traffic stop lacks an arrest and the immediate safety risk that justifies a sweep, so it wouldn’t trigger one. A request by the arrestee does not create the reasonable suspicion required to justify searching for additional dangerous individuals.