In law enforcement, “consensual interaction” means:

In the context of law enforcement, “consensual interaction” refers to a situation where individuals are engaged in communication with police officers without any coercion or compulsion. This means that during such interactions, individuals have the right to voluntarily engage with the officers and can choose to end the conversation at any time. This ensures that the individuals involved are not under any obligation to remain or answer questions, thus emphasizing their freedom and autonomy in the encounter.

This definition is crucial because it sets the foundation for understanding the nature of police encounters, distinguishing between consensual interactions and stops or detentions that may require reasonable suspicion or probable cause. In consensual interactions, the emphasis is on voluntary participation, making it a vital aspect of ensuring respect for individual rights in police practice.