Peace officers are commonly granted authority to detain anyone who they reasonably believe is committing, has committed, or who is about to commit a crime for a reasonable period to investigate the circumstances. This detention period is generally considered to be:

• A. Only the first statement is true.
• B. Only the second statement is true.
• C. Neither statement is true.
• D. Both statements are true.

Answer: (D)

The concept being tested is investigative detentions (brief stops) grounded in reasonable suspicion. An officer may briefly detain someone to investigate if they reasonably believe the person is involved in criminal activity. This authority isn’t limited to people who are currently committing a crime; it also covers those who have committed a crime or are about to commit one, as these situations all justify giving the officer a short window to gather facts and determine what to do next. The detention should last only as long as is reasonably necessary to confirm or dispel the suspicion—identify the person, question them, or obtain information. If the investigation quickly resolves the suspicion, the person is released; if not, the officer may proceed based on further evidence. So both statements—detaining people believed to be currently committing a crime and detaining those who have committed or are about to commit a crime for a reasonable period to investigate—are correct.