What does PLAN stand for in police stop and search practice?

What does PLAN stand for in police stop and search practice?

• A. Proportional, Lawful, Accurate, Neutral
• B. Proportionate, Legitimate, Accountable, Neutral
• C. Prepared, Legal, Accountable, Necessary
• D. Proportionate, Legal, Accountable, Necessary

Answer: (D)

The concept being tested is how stop and search should be governed by four core safeguards: Proportionate, Legal, Accountable, and Necessary. Proportionate means the intrusion must be no more than needed to achieve the legitimate aim. If a lighter or less intrusive step could work, that should be used instead. Legal ensures the action is authorized by law and supported by proper grounds under the relevant powers and codes. It’s about acting within statutory authority and formal permissions. Accountable covers how the action is justified and recorded, with oversight and the ability to explain the decision to supervisors and the public. This keeps practice transparent and subject to scrutiny. Necessary means there must be a genuine need for the stop and search in that moment, targeting a specific objective, and there shouldn’t be a less intrusive way to achieve it. Together, these four elements — proportionality, legality, accountability, and necessity — form the standard framework for lawful stop and search.

The concept being tested is how stop and search should be governed by four core safeguards: Proportionate, Legal, Accountable, and Necessary.

Proportionate means the intrusion must be no more than needed to achieve the legitimate aim. If a lighter or less intrusive step could work, that should be used instead.

Legal ensures the action is authorized by law and supported by proper grounds under the relevant powers and codes. It’s about acting within statutory authority and formal permissions.

Accountable covers how the action is justified and recorded, with oversight and the ability to explain the decision to supervisors and the public. This keeps practice transparent and subject to scrutiny.

Necessary means there must be a genuine need for the stop and search in that moment, targeting a specific objective, and there shouldn’t be a less intrusive way to achieve it.

Together, these four elements — proportionality, legality, accountability, and necessity — form the standard framework for lawful stop and search.