What can an officer search if they reasonably believe a vehicle occupant may be armed?

When an officer has a reasonable belief that a vehicle occupant may be armed, the scope of the search is limited to areas where a weapon could be concealed. This principle is grounded in the need for officer safety and is informed by the precedent set by the Supreme Court in Michigan v. Long (1983). The Court determined that an officer may conduct a search of the passenger compartment of a vehicle, including any containers within it, that could reasonably contain a weapon.

This rationale ensures that the officer can safely secure the scene by checking areas where weapons may be hidden, such as the glove compartment or other accessible spaces in the passenger area. However, the officer's belief must be based on specific and articulable facts suggesting that the occupant poses a threat.

The alternative options either overreach or misunderstand the limitations placed on the search. For instance, searching the entire vehicle, including the trunk, would typically require probable cause or consent, not just a belief regarding the potential presence of weapons. The glove compartment specifically is still part of the search scope, but the correct perspective emphasizes the broader concept that the officer can look in all areas where a weapon could be placed, not limiting it to one compartment. Hence, the correct answer emphasizes that the searchability is