Which action can an officer take once illegal items are detected during a frisk?

When an officer conducts a frisk and detects illegal items, their primary responsibility is to ensure safety and to protect themselves from potential weapons. During a lawful frisk, if an officer discovers an object that feels like it might be a weapon, they are allowed to protect themselves by conducting a limited search.

The correct action is to reach into a pocket if the item is no longer considered a weapon. This means that once the officer verifies that the object is not a weapon—either because it has been clearly identified or through further investigation—they can then retrieve it. This is consistent with the protective purpose of a frisk, which is to ensure immediate safety while not extending to a full search without probable cause.

Other options present different scenarios that do not align with the appropriate legal standards. For example, searching all belongings in the vehicle would constitute a separate action that requires probable cause or consent; simply detecting illegal items during a frisk doesn’t grant that authority. Similarly, demanding the suspect empty their pockets does not adhere to the officer’s limited authority during a frisk and could potentially lead to violations of rights. Confiscating suspected stolen items would also require a different legal basis for seizure, such as probable cause to believe the property is stolen. Thus, only the action of reaching into