Police Legitimacy in Disadvantaged Neighborhoods in Czechia: An Intersectional Analysis

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Abstract

Police legitimacy is essential for maintaining social order and ensuring effective law enforcement. However, in disadvantaged neigborhoods, perceptions of legitimacy are often shaped by structural inequalities, historical grievances, and personal experiences with the police. This study draws on a quantitative survey of 2,566 residents from disadvantaged neighborhoods and 590 residents from more affluent areas to examine the predictors of police legitimacy across these populations. Special attention is given to potential racial disparities in perceptions of law enforcement. Using advanced statistical modeling, we analyze how various socio-demographic and experiential factors - such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status, victimization history, and prior police contact - interact to shape attitudes toward the police. By applying an intersectional approach, this paper moves beyond single-axis explanations to offer a more nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding police legitimacy in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Given the limited criminological research on this issue in post-socialist contexts, this study contributes to a broader and more geographically inclusive discussion on law enforcement and social justice.

Authors

• Martina Novopacká, University of Ostrava

• Petr Kupka, University of Ostrava