Police Legitimacy Notes Essay

Effectiveness of the practice of law ultimately depends on their legitimacy. 1st b/c the example paradox underlying the police use of nonnegotiable coercive pull out can be resolved only if police actions are qualitatively distinct from other actors use of force. 2nd b/c people pass to obey authority out of respect for its legitimacy more than out of fear of its power. Greater police legitimacy decreases the need for nonnegotiable coercive intervention it similarly builds active community support for police efforts. -Perceptions of legitimacy carry more weight w/ the public than effectiveness of enforcement. -Tyler, Tom 88) Tyler and Huo (2001) perceived legitimacy of the police and perceived fairness/favorability of outcomes carry equal weight in citizens acceptance of officers decisions. The amazing transformation of LAPD 76% of Latinos and 68% of blacks now give LAPD positive grades (LA Times, 2009 poll) Weber- cataclysm of Power At some point, force is inevitably necessa ry to preserve peace and social order. GRAHAM v. CONNOR * The police use of force is a fadeless reminder of the fundamental imperfection of the tragedy of power. * When all else fails, people call the cops (Egon Bittner) this is b/c the police role is ultimately define by their monopoly on the right to use nonnegotiable coercive force. We rely on the police precisely because of this monopoly yet at the same time, we are repulsed by its underlying harsh reality. Leads Us To Mary-Douglas Purity and Danger * We value dirty work as necessary but are repelled by those who do it so there is a moral ambiguity of force, which means that force is sometime necessary, but the decision to use it and judging the extent of its use are inherently unclear.