What authority do police officers rely on during a Stop and Search procedure?

The correct option highlights that police officers rely on reasonable grounds for suspicion during a Stop and Search procedure. This means they must have specific, articulable facts or circumstances that lead them to suspect someone is involved in criminal activity or carrying illegal items. The principle of reasonable grounds is crucial as it ensures that police actions are grounded in evidence rather than arbitrary choice, protecting individual rights. This concept also reflects the balance between law enforcement duties and safeguarding citizens from unjustified intrusion.

The other choices do not accurately represent the legal framework that governs police procedures. Direct orders from a judge are not typically necessary for a Stop and Search, as police are generally empowered to conduct searches based on their own justified suspicions. Public approval or popular vote would undermine the objective nature of law enforcement, as it could lead to biased decision-making influenced by public opinion. Similarly, reliance on state attorneys for permission would delay immediate law enforcement action and is not how the Stop and Search process is designed to function.