What must an officer articulate to justify a cursory search?

• A. Reasonable suspicion of drug possession
• B. Belief that the person is armed or dangerous
• C. Previous criminal history of the detainee
• D. A visual inspection of the person

Answer: (B)

To justify a cursory search, an officer must demonstrate a belief that the person is armed or dangerous. This requirement stems from the need to balance an individual's Fourth Amendment rights against the officer's duty to protect themselves and others when approaching a potential threat.

When an officer feels that there is a clear and immediate danger due to the possibility that an individual may be carrying a weapon, this justifies the cursory or "stop and frisk" procedure, which allows for a limited pat-down for weapons. The rationale is focused on the safety of both the law enforcement officer and the public. This heightened concern for safety takes precedence over the individual's right to remain free from unreasonable searches when there is a legitimate belief of danger.

The other options, while they may provide context or additional reasons for suspicion, do not inherently meet the specific legal standard needed for a cursory search. For example, reasonable suspicion of drug possession does not automatically infer a threat to safety. Similarly, previous criminal history and visual inspection alone do not serve as adequate justification for the more intrusive action of a search without the element of perceived danger.