Reasonable Leap Case Study

A beat cop observed, while patrolling the downtown area of Cleveland, two strange men and another man alternately pausing and staring into a street window. It was noticeable because it continued to happen and was observed to happen 24 times. The beat cop decided to investigate further because after their completion of their route, it was observed, they met to conference. The new standard of “Reasonable Suspicion” created by the Supreme court for the police department is, in my opinion, valid. When a person exhibits abnormal behavior, when observed, and after being investigated further to reveal the facts by verifying your suspicions through necessary questioning, and if there is no valid reason or legitimate explanation offered to explain …show more content…
Except when a reasonable search is necessary to protect the lives of others as well as self. It would then be (probable cause) and become necessary to search all involved. Especially, in this circumstance because the officer observed unusual behavior that happened 24 times giving the suspects ample time to decide against carrying out their actions. The officer suspected their actions as an attempt to “casing a job, a stick up,” the officer followed two of the suspects and saw them rejoin with the third man in front of another store. The officer decided to approach the three men, identified himself as a police officer and asked their names. The three men mumbled among themselves which caused the officer to become a little aggressive by asking the three men to enter a store and put their hands up and face the wall. The officer then decided to do a search from the outside of their clothing 1st to determine if any of the men had weapons and after being more thoroughly searched the officer was able to seize and obtain a pistol and a revolver. They were then taken to the police station and two of the three men with the weapons were charged with carrying concealed