Police perceptions of BWCs by type of law enforcement agency: procedural justice, legitimacy, lawfulness, compliance and cooperation

Abstract

PurposeThis study examined whether officers’ perceptions of the effect of BWCs on procedural justice, police lawfulness, police legitimacy, compliance with police and law, and cooperation with police differed by type of law enforcement agency.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected from a survey administered to 152 police officers from State Police, City Police, University Police, and Sheriff’s Office.FindingsThe multivariate analyses found that City Police officers hold significantly more positive perceptions than University Police (on police legitimacy and cooperation with police), State Police (except for police lawfulness, on all other outcomes), and Sheriffs’ Office officers (on procedural justice and police legitimacy). Additionally, Sheriffs’ Office officers hold significantly more positive perceptions than University Police (on police legitimacy, cooperation with police, and compliance with police) and State Police (on police legitimacy, cooperation with police, compliance with police and law). No significant difference was found between University Police and State Police officers.Originality/valueThis is the first study that examines whether officers’ perceptions of the outcomes differ by type of law enforcement agency.