What are the three legal police encounters?

The three legal police encounters encompass the concepts of consensual encounters, arrests, and temporary detentions, which are fundamental in understanding police interactions with individuals.

In a consensual encounter, law enforcement officers engage with individuals without any coercion or intimidation, allowing the person to feel free to leave at any time. This type of interaction does not require the officer to have any reasonable suspicion or probable cause, as the individual has the right to choose whether to engage with law enforcement.

When considering an arrest, this indicates a situation where the police have probable cause to believe that an individual has committed a crime. An arrest involves taking a person into custody, where their freedom is limited, and they are subjected to legal processes.

Temporary detention, commonly referred to as investigative detention, occurs when an officer has reasonable suspicion that a person is involved in criminal activity. During this period, the officer is allowed to briefly stop the individual to ask questions or conduct a limited search for weapons, but it does not reach the level of a formal arrest.

These encounters are crucial as they outline the legal parameters within which law enforcement operates while ensuring the rights of individuals are upheld. Each type of encounter plays a significant role in law enforcement's ability to maintain public safety while respecting constitutional