During an administrative search, what is the goal of the law enforcement officer?

In an administrative search, the primary goal of law enforcement officers is to uphold the law and ensure compliance with regulations. These types of searches are specifically designed for regulatory purposes rather than for the investigation of crimes. They often occur in settings such as businesses or facilities where certain standards and legal requirements must be maintained, such as health codes, safety regulations, or building codes.

Administrative searches are typically conducted without a warrant or probable cause because their main intent is not to find evidence of criminal activity, but rather to verify adherence to established regulations and standards. This focus on compliance helps maintain public safety, welfare, and the integrity of particular industries or community standards.

Other options reflect more traditional criminal law enforcement goals: gathering evidence of a crime focuses on criminal investigations, pursuing a suspect emphasizes active criminal pursuits, and conducting a vehicle inspection relates more to specific traffic or vehicle regulatory compliance rather than the broader scope of administrative searches.