For how long can an officer detain someone based on reasonable suspicion?

The duration an officer can detain someone based on reasonable suspicion is defined as "a reasonable amount of time." This concept stems from the requirement that any detention must be justified in terms of its length and the circumstances surrounding the situation.

Reasonable suspicion allows an officer to briefly detain a person to investigate further, but this should not extend beyond what is necessary to confirm or dispel that suspicion. In practice, this means that the officer should act diligently to resolve the situation or inquiry as swiftly as possible.

The other options indicate fixed timeframes or indefinite detention, which do not align with legal standards. An indefinite period of time is unsustainable for a legal detention because it lacks a framework for resolution. The specific times of 48 hours or one week are also excessive and could infringe upon a person's rights, making them impractical in practice and contrary to established legal principles regarding detention and due process.