stop and frisk

American  

noun

1. a policy that permits a police officer to momentarily detain and pat down or search a person suspected of criminal activity, especially when suspected of concealing a weapon.

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Etymology

Origin of stop and frisk

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

He began his career as a lawyer before being elected to the New York state legislature, where he championed affordable housing and worked on policing issues, notably the controversial practice known as "stop and frisk."

From Reuters • Nov. 18, 2022

He vowed to attack the inequities that left blacks and Latinos behind, and promised to rethink police tactics — using his biracial son, Dante, to star in a viral ad about stop and frisk.

From New York Times • Jun. 12, 2020

It has rules for when officers can stop and frisk someone.

From Washington Times • Jun. 10, 2020

“I’m going to get a chance to debate him on everything from redlining to stop and frisk to a whole range of other things,” Biden told reporters last week.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 18, 2020

Starting in 2008, he and his colleagues at the Center for Constitutional Rights had spent five years suing the city of New York for its use of stop and frisk.

From Slate • Feb. 18, 2020