Does Procedural Justice Moderate the Effect of Collective Efficacy on Police Legitimacy?

• In Event: Procedural Justice and Police Legitimacy

Abstract

Purpose of the Study. Research suggests perceptions of neighborhood social dynamics and fairness judgments are strongly correlated with residents’ views of police legitimacy. The nature of these relationships is less clear, including the extent to which the association between informal neighborhood dynamics and police legitimacy is influenced by perceptions of police practice. We examined whether perceptions of procedural justice moderates the effect of collective efficacy beliefs on police legitimacy evaluations. Design of the Study. Utilizing data from three city-level victimization surveys (N = 2,839), we found that the influence of collective efficacy beliefs on police legitimacy evaluations was moderated by fairness judgments. Major Findings. When perceptions of procedural justice are high, collective efficacy beliefs are less associated with police legitimacy. Conversely, collective efficacy beliefs have a stronger impact on legitimacy evaluations when procedural justice is low. Conclusions. Results suggest perceptions that police treat people fairly seem to minimize the impact of collective efficacy beliefs on police legitimacy evaluations.

Authors

• Yongjae Nam, Michigan State University

• Chris Melde, Michigan State University