Can an officer frisk the occupants of a vehicle if they have reasonable belief that the detainees are armed?

An officer can frisk the occupants of a vehicle if they have a reasonable belief that the detainees are armed. This principle is rooted in the Fourth Amendment, which protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures. The "Terry stop" doctrine allows an officer to conduct a brief investigatory stop based on reasonable suspicion, and if there is concern for the officer's safety, a limited frisk of the person can be performed to ensure they are not carrying a weapon.

When an officer has a reasonable belief that a suspect might be armed, the officer's actions in conducting a frisk are justified in order to protect themselves and others from potential harm. Importantly, this applies not just to the driver but to all occupants of the vehicle, as each person may pose a risk.

In this context, frisking all occupants of the vehicle in response to a reasonable belief that they are armed is permissible under established legal standards, affirming the validity of the answer provided.