What does a "protective sweep" involve during an arrest?

A "protective sweep" during an arrest involves a quick visual check of adjacent areas for safety. This tactical procedure is designed to ensure that officers are not ambushed by individuals who might be hiding in other parts of the premises. The primary purpose of a protective sweep is for the safety of law enforcement officers by allowing them to ascertain whether there are any threats present that could endanger them during the arrest.

The sweep is limited to areas immediately adjoining the place of arrest and other spaces that an officer can reasonably believe someone could be hiding. It does not allow for a comprehensive search or the examination of every nook and cranny, which differentiates it from a full search for contraband. Consequently, the focus is on ensuring officer safety rather than gathering evidence or seizing items. This makes it a preventive measure rather than an evidentiary one, reinforcing the idea that protective sweeps are navigated by the necessity of immediate safety rather than broad search authority.