What is meant by the term 'frisk' in law enforcement?

The term 'frisk' in law enforcement refers specifically to the act of patting down a person's clothing to check for concealed weapons or dangerous items. This practice is primarily used when an officer has a reasonable suspicion that a person is armed and poses a potential threat to the officer's safety or the safety of others. The frisk is a limited and focused search, distinct from a full body search, and is not intended to uncover contraband such as drugs or other illegal items. Instead, the primary aim is the immediate assessment of weapon possession, ensuring a safer interaction for the officer and the individual involved.

This differentiates 'frisk' from other search activities, such as a full body search, which tends to be more invasive and generally requires more legal justification. Searching a vehicle for drugs or reviewing a person's identification are entirely different actions that pertain to various investigative or compliance procedures but do not align with the specific definition of a 'frisk.'