When are police allowed to frisk me?
Submitted by Steve Silverman on Sun, 02/22/2009 - 21:49
If they have reasonable suspicion to detain you, police may conduct a pat down (frisk) of the outside of your clothing to check for weapons, but only if they have a basis for suspecting you're armed.
If they feel a hard item that might be a weapon, police may reach into your pockets. Sometimes officers reach into suspects' pockets looking for drugs even if they don't feel a weapon. This is common, but it's illegal.
Police may ask you to reveal the contents of your pockets. Just like other search requests, you have the right to refuse.
(See also "How to Deal with Police on the Street")
Clip from the DVD, BUSTED: The Citizen's Guide to Surviving Police Encounters
