What term describes a police encounter that allows a citizen to feel free to leave?

The term that describes a police encounter allowing a citizen to feel free to leave is "voluntary." In a voluntary encounter, individuals have the choice to engage with law enforcement on their own terms, which includes the autonomy to leave without any obligation or coercion from the police officer.

This type of interaction is significant because it respects the rights of individuals, allowing them to determine whether to cooperate with law enforcement or not. Understanding this concept is essential, as it differentiates voluntary encounters from situations such as stops or detentions, where citizens may not feel they can leave without legal consequences.

The terms mandatory, involuntary, and consensual do not accurately capture this freedom of choice in the same way. Mandatory implies a requirement, involuntary suggests a lack of choice altogether, and while consensual might seem closely related, it typically refers to situations where there is mutual agreement. Therefore, "voluntary" is the most appropriate term to describe the context of police encounters where citizens feel they can freely leave.