Reasonable Suspicion: Lessons Learned Recommendations from Civil Rights Litigation

Train officers on: 

  • Differences between probable cause, reasonable articulable suspicion, and speculation
  • Differences between true voluntary and consensual encounters versus acquiescence to law enforcement authority 
  • Community-oriented policing to reinforce core values and provide the skills, knowledge, and techniques to effectively engage and build rapport with community members
  • What constitutes reasonable articulable suspicion for a frisk or pat-down

Baltimore, MD
(IV, F, 60; IV, G, 67§a-g; IV, G, 68)

Newark, NJ
(V, D, 43, §a, §i)

Seattle, WA
(III, C, 2, 142 §a – f)

The information provided above has come directly from the consent decree language, which can be accessed by clicking on each corresponding city’s consent decree. This information is intended to guide departments on decisions and actions to improve their Constitutional policing practices. Additional resources and information may be needed to implement these recommendations successfully. For assistance in implementing recommendations, contact the Knowledge Lab team.