POLICE APPROACH AND REASONABLE SUSPICION: CASE STUDIES IN THE JUDICIARY OF AMAZONAS

Abstract

This study examines the legal and operational foundations of founded suspicion within the context of police stop-and-frisk procedures, based on the jurisprudence established by the Superior Court of Justice in RHC 158.580-BA. The ruling highlights the necessity of objective criteria to justify personal searches, rejecting police interventions grounded solely in subjective impressions. The research analyzes how the judiciary of the State of Amazonas has applied this recent doctrinal shift, particularly regarding the assessment of police conduct prior to initiating an approach. A qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive methodology was adopted, supported by a bibliographic review and theoretical analysis of judicial decisions issued by higher courts and the amazonense judiciary. The study seeks to understand how police behavior can be described through concrete decision-making parameters, minimizing the influence of stereotypes and reinforcing the legality of police actions. The findings indicate that this new jurisprudential orientation contributes to technical standardization, improved police performance, and strengthened legal certainty. It is concluded that the development of objective criteria for founded suspicion serves as an essential tool for guiding public safety professionals in Amazonas and enhancing the effectiveness of police operations.