What does RAS II allow an officer to do?

The concept of RAS II, or reasonable articulable suspicion for a second level of inquiry, specifically empowers law enforcement officers to conduct a frisk of an individual's outer clothing when there is a belief that the person may be armed and dangerous. This level of suspicion is less than the probable cause required for an arrest but is sufficient enough to justify a protective search for weapons.

In this context, the purpose of the frisk is to ensure the safety of the officer and others around them by checking for firearms or other dangerous items without the need for a full search of a person’s belongings or clothing. This is a critical aspect of ensuring public safety while balancing an individual’s rights against unlawful searches and seizures.

While conducting a full body search or an immediate arrest requires a higher standard of probable cause, a frisk under RAS II is specifically tailored for situations where an officer's safety is at risk due to the suspicion of a weapon. Thus, the answer identifies the correct application of RAS II within the framework of search and seizure law, underscoring the importance of articulable suspicion in ensuring law enforcement effectiveness while respecting constitutional protections.