The Legitimation of the Police: A Practitioner's Framework

Law enforcement is enduring a legitimacy crisis public confidence in the police has reached historic lows, and calls to disempower the police have gained widespread support. Legitimacy is fundamental for institutional success, especially for law enforcement, and the police are essential for a well-functioning society. This thesis conducts a thorough conceptual analysis of classical and contemporary literature on legitimacy and its application to law enforcement. It critically evaluates the prevailing theory that it can be significantly earned through procedural justice practices. Four essential elements of a framework for achieving police legitimacy are identified: (1) an operational definition of legitimacy; (2) the continual assertion of the function of the police in society; (3) the intentional engagement of distinct social groups and superior institutions; and (4) the implementation of strategies to either conform to social values and norms or to influence them. The framework is then applied to real-world cases where police legitimacy has been challenged. These tests validate its conceptual and operational utility. Amid ongoing scrutiny and shifting perspectives on law enforcement, this research offers practitioners the means to pursue the legitimation of the police.