Utah Special Function Officer (SFO) Practice Exam

What defines a Level 2 stop in law enforcement?

1. Reasonable suspicion based on observation

2. Clear probable cause for arrest

3. Random checks without cause

4. Checks based on personal judgment alone

The correct answer is: Reasonable suspicion based on observation

A Level 2 stop, often referred to in law enforcement as a "stop and question," is defined by the presence of reasonable suspicion based on observation. This means that an officer must have specific and articulable facts that lead them to suspect a person may be involved in criminal activity. The basis for this suspicion is derived from observations or behaviors that are out of the ordinary or inconsistent with lawful conduct. The significance of this standard lies in its balance between the need for police to investigate potential criminal activity and the protection of individual rights. Officers act on reasonable suspicion to ensure that they are not infringing upon a person's rights without a valid reason, as would be the case with a random check without cause or based solely on personal judgment. In contrast, clear probable cause for arrest represents a higher legal threshold that typically involves sufficient evidence to believe a crime has been committed. Random checks or those based solely on personal judgment lack the necessary foundation of reasonable suspicion, making them legally insufficient for a Level 2 stop.