Which perspective argues that the legitimacy of the police is linked to public judgments about the fairness of the processes through which the police make decisions and exercise authority?

• A. Procedural justice
• B. Constitutional rights
• C. Crime control
• D. Community policing

Answer: (A)

Procedural justice holds that police legitimacy comes from the perceived fairness of the processes used to make decisions and exercise authority. It centers on whether people feel they have a voice, that decisions are made neutrally, that they are treated with respect, and that authorities are trustworthy. When these elements are present, the public is more likely to view the police as legitimate and to cooperate, even if the outcome isn’t what they wanted. The other perspectives emphasize different aims: crime control focuses on deterrence and efficiency, community policing on building relationships with the public, and constitutional rights on protecting individual protections rather than the fairness of procedures.