What must an officer be capable of doing regarding reasonable suspicion?

An officer must be capable of articulating the elements leading to their suspicion because reasonable suspicion is a legal standard that allows law enforcement to stop and briefly detain a person for investigative purposes. Simply having a gut feeling or intuition is not sufficient; the officer must be able to clearly outline the specific facts and circumstances that led to their suspicion. This articulation is crucial because it provides a foundational justification for the stop, ensuring that it is based on observable behavior rather than arbitrary factors. Properly establishing and articulating reasonable suspicion helps protect individuals' rights and maintains the integrity of law enforcement activities.