When conducting a frisk, what is the primary concern for an officer?

The primary concern for an officer when conducting a frisk is ensuring officer safety from weapons. A frisk is a limited pat-down search of an individual’s outer clothing, specifically intended to detect any concealed weapons that may pose a threat to the officer or others. This procedure is based on the officer's reasonable suspicion that the person may be armed and dangerous.

The objective is not to gather evidence of a crime or to conduct an extensive investigation but rather to protect the officer and the public from immediate harm. While assessing the mental state of a suspect or identifying accomplices might be relevant in broader investigative contexts, these aspects are secondary during the specific and immediate context of a frisk. The officer's paramount concern is to neutralize any potential threat posed by weapons that could be used against them or others nearby.