The U.S Supreme Court ruled today that Tucson-area police officer did nothing wrong when she frisked a suspect and found a gun and drugs based on a traffic stop and her suspicion alone.
Howard Fischer with Capitol Media Services reports:
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, writing for the court, said officers may act if there is a “reasonable suspicion” they may be armed and dangerous.
…
According to court records, Oro Valley police officer Maria Trevizo, on assignment with the state gang task force, was on patrol in 2002 with two other officers in a midtown Tucson neighborhood. Trevizo testified that the area is associated with the Crips gang and that gang members usually wear blue. She also said that “gang members will often, in general, possess firearms.”
A previous decision by the Arizona Court of Appeals said the pat-down was illegal. That decision was overturned by the high court’s ruling.