What does the term "detained" refer to in the context of police powers?

The term "detained" specifically refers to an individual being held for questioning by law enforcement. This distinction is crucial because being detained does not necessarily imply that the individual has been formally arrested; rather, it indicates that the police believe they need to question the individual about a matter of interest, typically related to a crime or investigation.

When someone is detained, the police can conduct inquiries to gather information or clarify a situation without the need to formally charge the person or take them into custody as they would in an arrest. This situation is often governed by specific legal frameworks that understand the balance between law enforcement's need to investigate and an individual's rights.

In contrast, options like a minor traffic stop may involve brief interactions with law enforcement but do not typically equate to a formal detention in the context of questioning. A person being arrested represents a more serious action where formal charges are placed, and rights regarding detention differ significantly. Temporary monitoring in public spaces suggests a surveillance scenario rather than an active engagement and questioning by officers.

Thus, the essence of detention is closely tied to the investigative powers of police and the dynamics of questioning in the criminal justice process.