Which of the following should be searched first when searching a person?

The area of immediate reach should be searched first when conducting a search on a person because it is where a threat can most quickly arise. This area pertains to anything that a person can easily access or reach in a split second, and it is critical for officer safety to ensure that no weapons or dangerous items are within that range. This approach minimizes the risk to the officer by addressing potential threats before proceeding with a more thorough search of the individual.

In the context of officer safety, it is crucial to assess the most likely places from which a person can react or retrieve something harmful. By starting with the area of immediate reach, officers can prevent situations where an individual could quickly use a concealed weapon against them or others. This foundational principle is based on the need to maintain control of the situation.

Other options, while relevant in the overall search process, do not prioritize officer safety in the same immediate way. For instance, searching the waistband or the cuffs of sleeves may come later in the search sequence, as these areas might not represent the same immediate threat as the area of immediate reach.