What is a requirement for conducting an extended protective sweep?

The requirement for conducting an extended protective sweep centers on the necessity of having articulable facts that justify why the sweep is needed. This means law enforcement officers must have specific, observable facts that lead them to believe there may be individuals present who pose a danger to their safety. The articulable facts ensure that the decision to conduct a sweep is not based on mere hunches or unparticular suspicions but is supported by clear evidence or circumstances that can be explained and justified.

In situations involving a standard protective sweep, officers typically are permitted to check the immediate area for threats during an arrest in the home. However, an extended protective sweep goes further and allows officers to search areas of the premises that are not immediately adjacent, provided they can articulate the reasons for their concern about potential threats based on the circumstances of the situation. This is a key principle under the Fourth Amendment, balancing the need for officer safety with the protections against unreasonable searches.