When must a protective sweep be conducted during an arrest?

A protective sweep is a quick and limited search of a premises incident to an arrest, aimed at ensuring the safety of law enforcement officers and others present. The concept is based on the need to protect officers from potential dangers that may arise during an arrest.

The correct option indicates that a protective sweep may be conducted following a lawful arrest when there is reasonable suspicion that there might be a threat present, such as other individuals who could pose a danger to the officers. This aligns with legal precedents, where courts have recognized that the safety of law enforcement can necessitate a cursory inspection of the surrounding areas where a suspect may have access to weapons or may be hiding.

The circumstances under which a protective sweep can be conducted involve factors like not just the nature of the arrest, but also any information that leads officers to believe that another threat may be present. This is critical because the law seeks to balance the rights of individuals with the necessity for officer safety.

In other scenarios, such as an uncooperative suspect or an arrest solely for violent offenses, these conditions do not inherently justify a sweep without reasonable suspicion. Moreover, while protective sweeps can indeed be discretionary, they are not optional in every arrest scenario; they must be based on warranted concerns for