Trust in the police in Latin America: A multilevel analysis of institutional and experiential models

Abstract

This paper explores two models of preference-formation of trust in the police in Latin America and the Caribbean: An institutional model that highlights the role of broad assessments of government performance and legitimacy and an experiential approach focussed on more narrow experiences of victimization and police contact. We examine these frameworks based on theory and analysis of administrative data and surveys from the Americas Barometer 2014 (N = 34,798 respondents T = 22 countries). Findings show that respondents with higher confidence in their government also indicate higher ratings of trust in the police. Similarly, trust is higher among individuals who had not experienced victimization or bribery or who anticipated faster police response times. At the country level, our results suggest that trust is negatively related to economic development but positively related to rule of law. We draw on these findings to outline an integrative model that combines both institutional and experiential perspectives.