Which of the following underscores the limitation of authority in relation to reasonable suspicion?

The correct answer emphasizes that reasonable suspicion mandates a specific factual basis for a detention. Reasonable suspicion is a legal standard that allows law enforcement officers to stop and briefly question an individual if they have a reasonable, articulable suspicion that the person may be involved in criminal activity. This means that officers must be able to point to specific, observable facts or circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to suspect that criminal behavior is afoot.

This is crucial because it establishes a check on police authority, ensuring that stops are not arbitrary or based solely on hunches. Instead, the requirement for a specific factual basis ensures protections for individuals against unwarranted intrusions, maintaining a balance between effective law enforcement and safeguarding civil liberties. This legal standard promotes accountability among law enforcement officers by mandating that their actions are justifiable based on concrete facts, rather than unfounded assumptions or biases.

The other choices do not align with this principle; they suggest broader or unfounded powers, which contradicts the necessity for a reasonable foundational basis for detentions.