What does an officer need to establish probable cause?

Establishing probable cause requires a reasonable belief that a crime has been committed or that a specific individual is involved in a crime. This means that an officer must have facts or circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that a crime is occurring or has occurred. It's not just a feeling or a strong suspicion; it must be based on observable and articulable facts that justify further action, such as making an arrest or obtaining a search warrant.

Reasonable belief provides the necessary standard in law enforcement for taking action while ensuring that individual rights are protected. It strikes a balance between effective law enforcement and civil liberties, ensuring that officers cannot act solely on intuition or suspicion without a foundation of factual evidence. It emphasizes the need for a grounded rationale behind law enforcement actions, which is crucial in establishing trust and legality in police procedures.