Which type of suspicion allows for a police officer to stop and investigate a citizen?

The concept of reasonable suspicion is crucial in law enforcement as it provides the legal standard that officers must meet to justifiably stop and question a citizen. Reasonable suspicion is a term used in criminal law that refers to a standard of evidence that is less than probable cause but more than a mere hunch. It requires specific and articulable facts that would lead a reasonable officer to believe that a crime may be afoot.

When an officer has reasonable suspicion, it allows them to engage with a citizen to ask questions, request identification, and potentially conduct a limited pat-down for weapons if they have concerns for their safety. This standard is derived from the Fourth Amendment, which protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures. The officer's observations, experience, and the context in which they find themselves contribute to forming this reasonable suspicion.

In contrast, mere suspicion lacks the necessary facts to justify an investigative stop, while probable cause is a higher standard required for arrests or obtaining search warrants. Articulable suspicion, although similar in nature, is not commonly used as a distinct legal term in the same way as reasonable suspicion. Hence, reasonable suspicion is the correct answer as it directly aligns with the legal standards governing police interactions with citizens.