Which of the following can turn a voluntary contact into a seizure?

When a police officer engages in a voluntary contact with an individual, the interaction is consensual, meaning the individual is free to leave at any time and is not being coerced or compelled. However, the dynamics of the situation can change based on certain factors.

The presence of several officers and the display of weapons can create an atmosphere of intimidation and coercion. This level of threatening presence can lead a reasonable person to feel that they are not free to leave, thereby transforming what started as a voluntary interaction into a seizure. In legal terms, a seizure occurs when a reasonable person would not feel free to terminate the encounter. The intimidation factor plays a critical role in assessing whether the individual's freedom to leave has been compromised.

In contrast, the other factors mentioned do not inherently alter the nature of the contact. For instance, if a person leaves the area, that can signify a desire to end the voluntary contact, and the officer's solo presence or the recording of a conversation doesn't necessarily impose any form of restraint or intimidation on the individual involved. These aspects do not impact the fundamental premise that a person is free to choose whether to engage or disengage with law enforcement.