Police Legitimacy and Resident Cooperation in Crime Hotspots Effects of Victimization Risk and Collective Efficacy

• NCJ Number: 253292
• Author(s): Tammy R. Kochel
• Date Published: 2018
• Length: 20 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2011-IJ-CX-0007
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description
• Award: Assessing the Effects of Hot Spots Policing Strategies on Police Legitimacy, Fear of Crime, and Willingness to Participate in Building Collective Efficacy

Annotation

This study focused on police legitimacy and cooperation in high-crime neighborhoods.

Abstract

Residents' perceptions of victimization risk and reduced collective efficacy were investigated as potential threats that may promote police legitimacy and cooperation. An integrated model that applied systems justification theory, along with the instrumental and process models, provided potential mechanisms for understanding legitimacy and cooperation in crime hot spots. The multi-level regression analysis used 947 surveys conducted in 71 crime hot spots. Results demonstrate the value of diffuse support for police and uphold the procedural justice and instrumental models of legitimacy in high-crime contexts. Results also that risk and collective efficacy affected views. Findings indicate the importance of how perceptions about context may foster a perceived dependence on police and, through this mechanism, promote cooperation. Results point to the value of further research on investigating risk, parochialism, and other aspects of context on police legitimacy and cooperation. (publisher abstract modified)