________ is the community's view and perception of the police. Procedural Justice is a way to increase legitimacy.

• A. Legitimacy
• B. Accountability
• C. Transparency
• D. Legality

Answer: (A)

Legitimacy is the community's view and perception of the police. When people believe the police have the rightful authority to exercise power and that their actions are fair and principled, trust grows and willingness to cooperate and comply increases. Procedural justice builds legitimacy by focusing on fair processes during encounters: giving people a voice, applying decisions neutrally, treating them with respect, and acting with integrity. These fairness cues shape how the public perceives the police’s authority, making people more likely to view policing as legitimate even when outcomes aren’t perfect. While accountability, transparency, and legality are related ideas, they describe different aspects of policing; legitimacy specifically captures the public’s perceived rightful authority and trust in the police.