Police Encounters with Individuals - Essay Example

Police encounters with individuals are a normal occurrence in society. Police cannot force a non-willing citizen to participate in a police encounter. Only when there is reasonable suspicion that a police officer may imply that a citizen has no option but to stop. Police stops often involve an encounter with the unknown, and police often see this as a dangerous part of their job (Law Enforcement Bulletin, 2014). Consensual encounters include traffic stops, Terry stops, and arrests. Most of these stops are consensual and do not contravene the Fourth Amendment.

The contact is only consensual if a citizen voluntarily stops to communicate with a law enforcer. For instance, traffic stops do not require suspicion to justify contact. A person can only be under arrest if police are aware of a crime and have substantial evidence, for instance, if they smell drugs, or see a weapon. During encounters, the searches are often appropriate, although there are times when it is inappropriate. A search is only appropriate if there is “reasonable suspicion” of a current or future occurrence of a crime.

A search is appropriate if a person seems anxious or answers questions contradictorily. One is often in more trouble for telling a lie as compared to simply keeping quiet. In any case, police will inform them of their rights, such as the right to remain silent, in the process of an arrest.