What is a "stop-and-frisk" procedure?

A "stop-and-frisk" procedure specifically refers to the practice of briefly detaining an individual based on reasonable suspicion that they may be involved in criminal activity, followed by a limited search of their outer clothing. This is primarily aimed at ensuring the safety of the officer and the public by checking for weapons or other contraband without conducting a full search.

The procedure is grounded in the legal doctrine established by the U.S. Supreme Court in Terry v. Ohio, which allows law enforcement officers to stop a person and conduct a quick pat-down when they have a reasonable belief that the individual may be armed and dangerous. The emphasis here is on the necessity for reasonable suspicion, meaning that an officer must have specific, articulable facts that lead them to believe criminal activity is afoot.

The other options do not accurately describe the "stop-and-frisk" procedure. Searching personal belongings involves a broader scope than just the outer clothing, an arrest without a warrant generally requires probable cause rather than reasonable suspicion, and an interview does not involve any physical search at all. Thus, the essence of the stop-and-frisk is captured by the correct option, which focuses on the limited, precautionary nature of the action based on specific suspicions of wrongdoing.