What defines a 2nd tier encounter according to CCU?

A 2nd tier encounter is characterized primarily as a belief stop or detention. This type of encounter occurs when a law enforcement officer has a reasonable suspicion that a person is involved in criminal activity. This suspicion allows the officer to briefly detain the individual to investigate further.

During a 2nd tier encounter, the officer does not have enough evidence to make an arrest or to conduct a search, but the level of suspicion goes beyond that of a mere consensual encounter, where an individual is free to leave at any time. The key element is the officer's reasonable belief that the individual may be engaged in wrongdoing, which justifies the limited detention for questioning.

This classification plays an integral role in understanding police encounters and the legal thresholds that govern them, guiding law enforcement conduct and protecting individuals' rights.