Original Abstract

Argues that effective law enforcement requires the active engagement and participation of the communities it serves, and for a cooperative approach to law enforcement that appeals to people's sense of fair play. Based on a survey of citizens who had recent contact with the police or courts in Oakland and Los Angeles, it examines the sources of people's favourable and unfavourable reactions to their encounters with legal authorities. These include the psychology of decision acceptance, importance of individual personal experiences, and the role of ethnic group identification. Findings indicate that people react primarily to whether or not they are treated with dignity and respect, and the degree to which they feel they have been treated fairly helps to shape their acceptance of the legal process. The authors suggest that gaining maximum cooperation and consent of the public depends upon fair and transparent decision making and treatment on the part of law enforcement officers. Community policing programmes are put forward as an effective tool in improving police-community relationships.

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