In the three-stage model, which stage occurs between contact and exit?

• A. Contact
• B. Processing
• C. Exit
• D. Mere presence

Answer: (B)

In the three-stage model of police–citizen encounters, the sequence is contact, processing, then exit. After contact is established, the officer moves into processing, where administrative steps occur—verifying identity, asking questions, gathering information, running checks, and handling any paperwork or temporary detention as needed. This is the phase where the encounter is active and being worked through toward a conclusion. Only after processing is complete does the encounter proceed to the exit, ending the interaction. Mere presence isn’t a stage in this sequence, so it doesn’t fit as the step between contact and exit.