What authority do officers have concerning individuals present during a search warrant execution?

When officers execute a search warrant, they have the authority to control the movement of individuals present at the scene and can frisk them for weapons. This is rooted in the need to ensure officer safety and the security of the environment during the execution of the warrant.

The act of controlling movement involves ensuring that individuals do not interfere with the search process, potentially damaging evidence or posing a threat to the officers. The ability to frisk individuals is based on the officers' reasonable suspicion that a person may be armed and dangerous, which is a precautionary measure necessary in potentially volatile situations.

While officers can detain individuals briefly to ensure their own safety and the integrity of the search, this detention is not unlimited in time and must be justifiable based on the circumstances. Hence, the authority to control movement and conduct a frisk reflects both the necessity for security during a search and the implications of the legal framework governing law enforcement practices.