What is the primary purpose of a Terry Frisk?

The primary purpose of a Terry Frisk is to conduct a pat-down for weapons, which is rooted in the need for officer safety during an investigative stop. When law enforcement officers have reasonable suspicion that a person may be armed and dangerous, a Terry Frisk allows them to briefly stop and search the individual for weapons. This procedure is meant to ensure that the officers can mitigate any potential threats posed by the individual they are stopping, without the need for a full search or probable cause, which would be required for a more extensive search.

The focus on safety distinguishes the Terry Frisk from other investigative procedures. It is not intended to search for evidence related to a crime, which would require a different legal standard and justification. Similarly, the intention is not to gather witness statements or to identify suspects in a crowd, as those activities do not align with the specific safety concerns that the Terry Frisk addresses. Thus, conducting a pat-down for weapons is clearly the primary purpose of this type of encounter.