Police Legitimacy: A Conceptual Review

Abstract:     
This paper reviews the concept of legitimacy applied to the British police. Particular attention is given to multi-dimensional definitions of legitimacy, as well as the implications of procedural justice theory in the formation of justified police action. The paper discusses some of the factors that may have shaped the trajectory of police legitimacy in the UK. It finishes with a commentary on the importance of the concept for crime-control policy.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 9

Keywords: Institutional legitimacy, police, procedural justice, crime-control policy

JEL Classification: K40

working papers series