Summary
The influence of sociodemographic characteristics, level of contact with the police, perceptions of police effectiveness, willingness to partner with police and community engagement on a citizen's perceptions of police fairness, police professionalism, police legitimacy, and police satisfaction were investigated in this study. A quantitative, nonexperimental, correlational design was used for this research study. The sample (n = 152) consisted of adults within a large metropolitan city located in the Northeast section of the United States and was determined by using a multistage cluster sample. Data was collected over a three-month period using a 42-question Likert-type survey that was distributed via door-to-door canvassing. This took place across two police zones, each encompassing 13-15 socially-diverse neighborhoods of the Northeastern city. The data was analyzed using a multiple linear regression, which indicated a significant positive relationship between the public’s perception of police effectiveness and their perception of fairness, professionalism, legitimacy, and satisfaction. However, for police contact, there was a significant negative relationship between when an individual’s immediate family member had indirect police contact and an individual’s perception of professionalism and satisfaction.