What standard justifies initiating a seizure?

• A. Personal preference of the officer.
• B. A verbal complaint alone without any observed behavior.
• C. A random decision without any basis.
• D. Reasonable suspicion; probable cause may be needed for longer detention or arrest depending on duration and behavior.

Answer: (D)

Reasonable suspicion is the standard used to initiate a seizure. It requires specific, articulable facts and the totality of the circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe the person is involved in criminal activity. It’s not based on the officer’s personal preference, a verbal complaint alone without observable behavior, or a random guess. A brief stop can be justified with reasonable suspicion, but if the detention lasts longer or the officer seeks an arrest, the standard rises toward probable cause, depending on how long the person is detained and what behavior is observed.