Quote Quoting Taxing Matters
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That scope can be enlarged, however, if during the Terry stop he discovers evidence of other potential offenses. As for the pat down for weapons or other dangerous items the officer is supposed to have some indication the person may indeed have something dangerous before conducting that search. Thus it is not automatic that a pat down search is justified in every Terry stop (though some cops seem not to understand that particular point). The courts look at all the circumstances of the stop to determine if the search was valid.
Based on my description of the events in my previous post, does these actions give the officer the evidence to search me? I understand that there is always the case for something else, (I had a bulge on my side, shiny handle pointing out, something else) but based on the actions as I described above does that give the officer the legal authority to pat me down? I am awaiting the internal investigations report so I can see what reason the officer is able to articulate, but as of right now I recall doing nothing wrong and showed no aggressive action toward the officer and made no threats. Of course, as mentioned previously, I was not necessarily friendly to the officer but I did not make any actions or threats against.

And if unable to articulate a reason, am I able to further my complaint?

I do not want this officer doing this to someone else if he overstepped his boundaries. I know I felt uneasy and uncomfortable with him touching me skin on skin, even if it was only my hands. especially since I had mentioned several times that I did not consent to a search