R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-7-2: Search of detained person for weapons.

A peace officer may search for a dangerous weapon any person he or she is questioning or about to question concerning any crime or suspected crime, whenever the officer reasonably believes that he or she is in danger from the person carrying a weapon, and if the person is carrying a dangerous weapon, an officer may take and keep it until the completion of questioning, when he or she shall either return it or arrest the person.