Does community policing increase police legitimacy? (Policiamento de proximidade aumenta a legitimidade da polícia?)

The study investigates whether community policing increases police legitimacy. We understand legitimacy as the acceptance of police authorities as legitimate and trustworthy holders of power (O’Brien; Tyler, 2019). Based on nine (9) reviews addressing themes related to this question, we find that police legitimacy is strengthened when citizens perceive fair treatment, responsiveness, and respect from police authorities. In this sense, when these conditions are met, community policing is viewed as one of the public security policies capable of enhancing police legitimacy.