Procedural Justice Theory and Public Policy: An Exchange

Abstract

This article introduces a scientific exchange over the status of procedural justice theory and its applicability to policing reform. The introduction notes the long history of sociolegal research on procedural justice and its emergence as a source of ideas for criminal justice reforms and police training programs. The article contrasts the positions taken by Nagin & Telep (2017) and Tyler (2017) . Nagin & Telep assert that it is premature to apply procedural justice principles without more definitive causal studies in policing. In contrast, Tyler draws on experimental research and other causal studies from different domains to argue that the work is sufficient to proceed with policy reforms.