What should an officer base their suspicions on for a valid investigative stop?

For a valid investigative stop, an officer should base their suspicions on articulable facts. This means that the officer must have specific, observable facts that can be explained and justified as the basis for the stop, rather than relying on vague assumptions or generalizations. Articulable facts provide a concrete foundation for the officer's suspicion and ensure that the stop is grounded in legitimate law enforcement objectives rather than arbitrary decision-making.

This principle is important in maintaining the legality and constitutionality of stops, as it protects individuals’ rights by ensuring that an officer's actions are based on evidence that can be articulated to a judge or legal representative, if necessary. This standard aligns with legal precedents regarding reasonable suspicion, which requires more than a mere hunch but less than the level of proof needed for a conviction. Having articulable facts helps in fostering accountability and transparency in law enforcement practices.