Perceptions Of Police Legitimacy Research Articles

Do Community Views of Local Police Agencies Change During “Crises of Legitimacy”? Results of a Multi-wave Random Sample Community Survey in a Large Suburban Jurisdiction

AbstractGeorge Floyd’s murder by a Minneapolis Police Department officer on May 25, 2020, was arguably one of the most impactful events in modern policing in the United States. However, several controversial and highly publicized use-of-force events preceded it during the 2010s, leading to this entire period being labeled a “crisis of legitimacy” or “reckoning” for the police. Nationally, perceptions of the police declined during this period, especially after Floyd’s death, prompting a great deal of debate, protest, and discussion about police reform (including arguments about defunding the police). However, a great deal of variation exists in these perceptions at the local level. This study presents a rare insight into this issue, pooling two random-sample household mail surveys that researchers collected in 2015 and 2021 in a large urban-suburban county. It seeks to determine whether changes in specific measures of perceived police legitimacy and effectiveness found in national-level polls were also found in this jurisdiction, and more specifically, across different racial groups. Although this racially and ethnically diverse county is also a progressive Democratic stronghold, the results suggest that local views about police—even when disaggregated by race—may not align with national perspectives or events as expected, which, in turn, may impact support for police reforms at the local and national levels.

Increasing Police Presence: Examining Race, Ethnicity, and Perceived Neighborhood Disadvantage as Correlates of Support

AbstractGiven its empirical and public support, increasing police presence seems to be a viable preventive policy option for police agencies. However, the theoretical and empirical literature is not clear on whether this support would vary along race/ethnicity and perceived neighborhood disadvantage, which is relevant given that policies of this kind would likely have a greater impact on disadvantaged communities of color. Using survey data from a national sample, we found that racial and ethnic identity were unrelated to support for increased police presence, while perceived neighborhood disorder was related to greater support for police presence. We also found that neighborhood disorder, social cohesion, and informal social control were indirectly related to support for increased police presence through perceptions of police legitimacy and fear of crime, demonstrating some evidence of the overpolicing-underpolicing paradox in disadvantaged communities. Policy implications of these findings are discussed.

Are police as “guardian-oriented” as they should be? Expectation-reality discrepancies are related to perceptions of legitimacy

PurposeDue to instances of excessive use of force by police and in recognition of the importance of building positive police-community relationships, policymakers have urged police to become more guardian-oriented (i.e., prioritizing community safety and relationships) and less warrior-oriented (i.e., prioritizing physical control and fighting crime). The purpose of this study was to examine whether community members think police should be guardian- or warrior-oriented and how they view police in their community. MethodsYoung adult participants from Prolific Academic (N = 436) self-reported their perceptions of police in an online survey. ResultsParticipants preferred police to have more of a guardian than warrior orientation and thought police are not as guardian-oriented as they should be. Further, if police did not meet guardian expectations, participants had more negative perceptions of police legitimacy. ConclusionsExpectations for police behavior may influence police legitimation and, within the context of police reform, community members support the call for police to be more guardian-oriented by prioritizing community safety and building relationships. Fostering a guardian orientation in police is particularly important for police that are interested in promoting perceptions of legitimacy among the communities they serve.

A study on public perceptions of police legitimacy: Focusing on Procedural Justice Theory

A study on public perceptions of police legitimacy: Focusing on Procedural Justice Theory

How do perceptions of procedural justice, police legitimacy, and legitimacy of laws influence intentions to drug drive?

Introduction: There is a need for improved drug driving enforcement to promote greater driver compliance with drug driving laws. In Australia, Roadside Drug Testing (RDT) suffers from operational challenges that undermine its effectiveness in reducing drug driving. Objective: To identify potential improvements to RDT, this study investigated the extent to which drivers perceive RDT to be procedurally just and that the policing of drug driving and the associated laws are legitimate. These perceptions were then compared with those applying to Random Breath Testing (RBT) and examined in relation to their respective influence on intentions to drug and drink drive in the future. Method: A sample of 1,483 licensed drivers from three Australian states completed an online survey. Results: Those participants who reported engaging in drug driving perceived RDT to be less procedurally just than non-drug drivers. Similarly, drug drivers perceived the police and associated drug driving laws to be less legitimate than non-drug drivers. Furthermore, drug drivers who had been tested at an RDT operation in the past perceived RDT to be less procedurally just and considered drug driving policing and laws to be less legitimate, compared with the corresponding perceptions of drink drivers who had been tested at an RBT operation. A regression analysis indicated that stronger intentions to drug drive in the future were associated with lower perceptions of police legitimacy and the legitimacy of drug driving laws, but not with the elements of procedural justice. However, follow-up analyses indicated that the influence of procedural justice on intentions was mediated by the two legitimacy variables, thus weakening its direct impact on intentions. Practical applications: The results highlight the need for road safety authorities to enhance the perceived legitimacy of drug driving enforcement and associated laws. Changes to current police practices and/or drug-driving laws may also be needed to enhance the effectiveness of RDT.

Normative, expressive, and personal factors associated with cooperation with police: Findings from a longitudinal cohort study

PurposeWhile there has been extensive research on the normative, instrumental, and social explanations for cooperation with police, fewer studies have examined how personal, social-cognitive characteristics might influence willingness to cooperate. This paper integrates models of cooperation with the social information processing framework to understand when individuals are more willing to cooperate with the police. MethodsWe use two waves of data from the Zurich Project on Social Development from Childhood to Adulthood, an ongoing longitudinal study of an ethnically diverse sample of young people from Zurich, Switzerland. ResultsThe results show that, aside from perceptions of police legitimacy, moral neutralization and empathy were directly associated with willingness to cooperate. Police legitimacy moderated the relationship between moral neutralization and cooperation, however this effect was not robust across models. In addition, we found that those who have engaged in serious criminal behavior were less likely to cooperate. ConclusionsWe argue that our findings demonstrate the need for cooperation with police research to adopt a decision-making framework in explaining the decision to indirectly intervene and cooperate. Namely, individuals must first recognize and acknowledge the harm or illegal behavior done when deciding to take action to cooperate with the police.

Evaluating the Impact of Collaborative Art, Therapy and Training on Police Legitimacy: The Perceptions Held by Individuals with Substance Abuse Disorder and Police Officers

This qualitative pilot study was funded by a federal micro-grant to seek to fill a void in the literature on police legitimacy. The focus of this pilot study was to determine if collaborative art therapy and training can change the perceptions of police legitimacy held by individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) or the perceptions of the police toward individuals with SUD. Besides the collaborative activities, individuals with SUD and police officers were provided with therapy and/or training sessions during the period of collaboration. The methodology for this study included the use of electronic survey instruments to evaluate any changes in perception. These instruments were administered anonymously before and after all therapy, training, and collaboration activities occurred. Each instrument contained open-ended questions relating to Police Legitimacy Scale (PLS) (Tankebe et al., 2016) categories, as well as additional measures. Analysis included qualitative methods to provide context and identify themes for content analysis. Findings did not confirm change overall however, positive responses support police legitimacy, perceptual changes and relationship building. Recommendations are made for relationship building through increased interaction, excluding enforcement activities between individuals with SUD and the police using collaborative projects such as art therapy.

"It's like we are seen as animals": The relationship between Black people's encounters with the police, metadehumanization, and perceptions of police legitimacy.

Across two studies, we explored the relationship between Black civilians' encounters with the police, their attitudes toward the police, perceptions of police legitimacy, and metadehumanization perceptions. We predicted the more negative Black individuals' encounters with the police, the more unfavorable their views of police would be (attitudes and perceived legitimacy) and the more likely they would believe police believe Black people are less than human. We further hypothesized that the relationships between Black Americans negative counters with the police and their views of the police would be mediated by metadehumanization. Black Americans (N = 522, Mage = 35.85) were either asked about the quality of their interactions with police (Study 1) or randomly assigned to write about a positive, negative, or neutral encounter with police (Study 2). They completed attitudes toward the police and police legitimacy and metadehumanization measures. Study 1 found the more negative Black individuals' encounters with the police were, the more negative their views were toward police and the more they believed police saw them as less than human. This relationship was partially mediated by metadehumanization. Study 2 demonstrated a causal relationship between negative police encounters and negative perceptions of the police; however, metadehumanization only partially mediated this relationship. Negative encounters with the police may have lasting negative implications on Black citizens' perceptions of legitimacy but more research is necessary regarding the role of metadehumanization perceptions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Supplemental Material for “It’s Like We Are Seen as Animals”: The Relationship Between Black People’s Encounters With the Police, Metadehumanization, and Perceptions of Police Legitimacy

Supplemental Material for “It’s Like We Are Seen as Animals”: The Relationship Between Black People’s Encounters With the Police, Metadehumanization, and Perceptions of Police Legitimacy

Willingness to cooperate with police in hate crime cases: the impact of police legitimacy, police encounters and race/ethnicity

PurposeWhile the significance of public cooperation for police effectiveness is widely acknowledged, less is known about factors associated with cooperation in hate crime cases. The current study aims to explore how individuals’ perspectives on police legitimacy, contact experience with police and race/ethnicity shape their willingness to cooperate with police in hate crime incidents.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a sample of 693 college students and was conducted at a public university in the south-central region of the southern United States of America. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models were used to examine factors related to willingness to cooperate with police.FindingsFindings show that those who have a high level of positive perceptions of police legitimacy and those who have a low level of negative personal experience with police reported more willingness to cooperate. Asian respondents were less likely to report that they would cooperate with police compared to white respondents.Originality/valueThis study, emphasizing the relationships between perceived police legitimacy and positive personal experiences with a willingness to cooperate in hate crime cases, has practical implications. The identification of racial/ethnic differences in cooperation attitudes, particularly the lower likelihood of cooperation among Asian respondents, contributed to the current literature and underscores the importance of considering diverse perspectives and outreach efforts.

Social Framework Testimony and Race Salience: Examining Bias Correction in the Current Context

This juror-simulation study tested whether expert testimony about police relations with Black/Indigenous persons would mitigate potential verdict discrepancies by making race a salient issue, and whether perceived police legitimacy would predict perceptions of race salience and/or effectiveness of the salience manipulation. Jury-eligible community members (N = 392) read a trial transcript in which the defendant claims self-defense for the killing of a police officer. We manipulated defendant race (Black/Indigenous/White) and the presence of expert testimony in which a sociologist described the experience of racialized persons with police. Participants provided verdicts, rated perceptions that racial issues featured prominently in the trial (i.e., perceived race salience), and completed a police legitimacy measure. Results revealed non-significant effects of defendant race and expert testimony on verdicts. Those higher in perceptions of police legitimacy had a greater likelihood of voting guilty and less favourable attitudes toward the expert, with the opposite pattern for those higher in perceived race salience.

Fairness, relationships and perceptions of police legitimacy in the context of integrated offender management

ABSTRACT Integrated Offender Management (IOM) involves the police in England and Wales working closely with other criminal justice agencies to reduce the criminal activities of prolific offenders. The work involves traditional policing methods, but also police officers engaging in meaningful rehabilitative work with IOM participants. However, there may be a tension between aspects of IOM policing and procedural justice theory. Research has shown strong links between citizens’ perceptions of fair treatment and their beliefs about police legitimacy, yet at the same time some IOM policing efforts emphasise hostile and disciplinary practices. These types of approaches can threaten police legitimacy if perceived by citizens as unfair. This paper examines the self-described experiences of people subject to IOM policing. Study findings revealed that, whilst participants viewed aspects of IOM policing as unfair, they broadly accepted the legitimacy of IOM policing. This would run counter to many of the core claims of procedural justice theory. However, one plausible explanation for this reaction lies in the dynamic nature of police legitimacy and its antecedents in IOM. In this context, perceptions of police legitimacy are more firmly grounded in the relational (treatment) dimensions of procedural fairness than in other more decision-orientated aspects of the concept. This reflects the multidimensional nature of procedural justice within which the balance shifts, depending on the criminal justice setting.

Exploring the Association between Levels of Police Presence, Contact, and Perceptions of Police Legitimacy

Our goal was to investigate how increased police presence and contact are related to police-community relations, and whether this relationship may be different for those who are more likely to be subject to targeted policing practices, especially those with preexisting lower procedural justice assessments, living in disadvantaged communities, and having prior experience with the criminal justice system. Increased police presence was related to higher police legitimacy assessments, while low quality contact was negatively associated with police legitimacy. Increased presence and positive contact with the police were related to improved attitudes towards the police for those living in disadvantaged neighborhoods and who had preexisting lower procedural justice assessments. The opposite relationship was found for those living in advantaged neighborhoods with more positive preexisting attitudes towards the police. Implementation of tactics that increase police presence and positive contact with the police could improve police-community relations in neighborhoods that are disadvantaged and have residents that see the police as procedurally unjust.

Police legitimacy in urban, suburban and rural settings: a study in Slovenia

PurposePolice legitimacy presents a social value of the institution based on citizens' normative, moral and ethical feelings that they should voluntarily comply with and support the authority of the police. The present study focuses on residents' perceptions of police legitimacy in different settings in Slovenia.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on data from a survey of 1,022 citizens in Slovenia, this study examined the correlates of police legitimacy and differences in citizen perceptions of police legitimacy in urban, suburban and rural settings.FindingsMultivariate statistical analyses showed that feelings of obligation to obey, trust in police, procedural justice, police effectiveness, relations with police officers and gender influence perceptions of police legitimacy. Significant differences between residents' perceptions of police legitimacy, obligation to obey, trust in police, procedural justice, police effectiveness and legal cynicism in urban, suburban and rural settings were also observed. In general, residents of rural areas were found to have more positive attitudes towards the police than those in urban and suburban settings.Practical implicationsThe article is useful for police leaders and practitioners planning policies and training of police officers for democratic policing.Social implicationsPolice legitimacy reflects the legitimacy of governance, as the police are the most visible representatives of the state authority. Therefore, police legitimacy is crucial for policing in urban, suburban and rural settings.Originality/valueThe study presents the first test of police legitimacy in a non-Western cultural environment based on a national sample of citizens, which enables the generalisation of concepts of legitimacy, and its correlates in a different cultural setting. The study also presents the first attempt to test and compare the effect of the settings (i.e. rural, suburban and urban) on variables influencing residents' perceptions of police legitimacy.

Procedural Justice and Police Legitimacy: Untangling the Effects of Racial and Ethnic Combinations Between the Police and Civilians

In the 21st century, law enforcement agencies have increasingly realized the importance of police–civilian contacts in shaping public evaluations of legal authorities. Although many studies have revealed the Black–White racial disparities in public perceptions of the police, the impact of the nexus of civilian and officer race and ethnicity has rarely been adequately examined. Drawing upon a nationwide dataset, this study examined the effects of racial and ethnic combinations between the police and civilians on attitudes toward procedural justice and police legitimacy reported by 5,201 civilians who had recent encounters with police officers during traffic or pedestrian stops. The results showed a perception disparity regarding procedural justice and legitimacy among racial/ethnic combinations involving White, Black, and Hispanic civilians and officers. The nexus of Black-civilians–White-officers yielded the most negative effect. Hispanic civilians displayed more positive attitudes toward the police than their White counterparts. Procedural justice mediated the racial/ethnic effect on the perception of police legitimacy. Findings and policy implications are discussed.

NON-VIOLENT CRIME VICTIMS’ PERCEPTIONS OF POLICE BEHAVIOR, LEGITIMACY, AND ITS INFLUENCE ON COOPERATION WITH POLICE OFFICERS IN ANGELES CITY

This research explores the perceptions of trust, legitimacy, and cooperation with the police among victims of non-violent crimes in Angeles City, Philippines. Grounded in Tylers theoretical framework and Procedural Justice Theory, the study examines how these factors influence non-violent crime victims willingness to cooperate with law enforcement. It assesses how victims views of police response relate to their perception of police legitimacy. The research employs a quantitative approach, utilizing descriptive surveys and correlation analysis. A referral sampling method is used to access reluctant participants. Data is collected through a survey checklist questionnaire with Likert scale items. Statistical tools, including mean, percentage, standard deviation, variance, and Pearsons correlation coefficient, aid in data analysis. This study sheds light on the dynamics between crime victims, police behaviour, and perceptions of legitimacy, informing policy decisions in the realm of law enforcement. This research delves into public perceptions of procedural justice and its impact on trust and cooperation with law enforcement agencies. Findings reveal a prevalent negative perception of procedural justice among the general population, significantly diminishing trust in authorities and fostering a sense of inadequate respect for individual rights within the justice system. The study uncovers mixed feelings about cooperating with the police, indicating a prevailing reluctance to engage actively. Moreover, the research highlights the importance of aligning law enforcement agencies moral values with those of the community to enhance perceptions of legitimacy. Policymakers are urged to devise comprehensive strategies to improve police performance and bolster public trust, considering diverse societal and cultural dynamics. The study emphasizes the need for further research to unravel the complexity of public perceptions and enhance community-police relations, ultimately fostering a more just and equitable society. KEYWORDS: Trust, Legitimacy, Cooperation, Perceptions, Non-violent crimes

Do cultural values influence how we perceive the police? Examining the cultural impact of Confucian values on the perception of police legitimacy

PurposeThis study aimed to expand the normative model of police legitimacy literature by assessing the impact of cultural values and their role as a driver of the perception of legitimacy. Specifically, the current study assessed cultural values like Confucianism and their impact on the perception of police legitimacy.Design/methodology/approachThe current study used convenience sampling of South Korean university students from all seven metropolises. A perception survey regarding their perception of the legitimacy of Korean police was asked via a six-point scale. For statistical analysis, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess the hypotheses.FindingsThe authors' results indicate that Confucian values like social hierarchy and social harmony impacted various stages of police legitimacy. In particular, Confucian values significantly impacted procedural justice, the obligation to obey and cooperation. However, it failed to predict legitimacy in any capacity.Originality/valueFirst, by assessing Confucian values and their impact on police legitimacy, the current study aimed to expand the police legitimacy literature. Second, police legitimacy research in non-Western settings is still lacking and has not reached a consensus regarding the primary driver of legitimacy. Furthermore, South Korea in particular is still at an infant stage regarding police legitimacy research. The current study aimed to add to the literature by examining police legitimacy in the Korean context.

The Effects of Hot Spot Policing on Community Experiences and Perceptions in a Time of COVID-19 and Calls for Police Reform

To extend the limited evidence on how hot spot policing (HSP) strategies affect community experiences, perceptions, and attitudes, police agencies in two cities participated in a randomized experiment involving 102 hot spots that were assigned to a control condition ( n = 51) or to receive a HSP program emphasizing patrol, community engagement, and problem-solving for 14–17 months during 2019 and 2020 ( n = 51). Cross-sectional surveys with hot spot community members were conducted in person before the program ( n = 1082) and, due to COVID-19, by mail and internet afterwards ( n = 768) to assess program effects on crime victimization, views of crime and disorder, and attitudes towards police. In both cities, the evaluation period overlapped with the COVID-19 pandemic and the national protests for police reform following the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis during 2020; in one city, the program was ongoing during these events. Results showed the program had few effects on community experiences and views, though there were some indications it may have improved perceptions of police legitimacy and police misconduct in one city. The findings suggest that HSP strategies do not have harmful effects on community perceptions and might improve some aspects of police-community relations. However, weak program implementation, challenges to survey administration, and the occurrence of both COVID-19 and the George Floyd incident during the study period complicate interpretation of the results.

Policing the COVID-19 Outbreak, Accounts of Misconduct, and the Imperatives of Procedural Justice Training for Nigerian Police Officers

AbstractGlobally, questions have been asked on how police utilized additional powers created to manage the spread of the COVID-19 virus without negatively impacting police legitimacy. This was particularly a concern in countries that had hitherto recorded high incidents of police misconduct prior to the emergence of the pandemic. Using a victim-centered approach, a qualitative study was conducted to examine the dimensions of unlawful use of force, human rights violations, and other police misconduct which prevailed during the enforcement of the COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria. In all, 82 interviews with victims of police violence were conducted, and a thematic analysis of the narratives was carried out. Findings indicate negative perceptions of police legitimacy to intervene in public health crises. In building better community relations that will engender public compliance with police directives, the police authority is advised to purge itself of its militarized system, with officers undergoing procedural justice training and imbibing its principles.

Sequential Standoffs in Police Encounters With the Public

Research on interactions involving police officers foregrounds the importance of their communicative practices for fostering civilians’ perceptions of police legitimacy. Building on this research, we describe a pattern of conduct that is a recurrent source of trouble in such encounters, which we call sequential standoffs. These standoffs emerge when two parties persistently pursue alternative courses of action, producing a stalemate in which neither progress in, nor exit from, either course of action appears viable. They are routinely resolved by officers (re)casting civilians’ pursuit of one course of action as constituting resistance to the officers’ proposed course of action, and thus as warranting officers’ use of coercive violence to resolve the stalemate. In some cases, however, officers resolve standoffs cooperatively using sequentially accommodative methods. We consider how these findings advance approaches to communicative dilemmas in policing, and their broader significance for scholars of social interaction, and of the interactional organization of conflicts.