Chapter 6: Trust and Legitimacy in Police Work

First responders, such as police officers, firefighters, paramedics, emergency physicians and nurses, are essential workers who interact with the public daily. Police officers are on the front lines for crises and emergencies. Due to the nature of their roles and responsibilities, they are often the first on the scene, which places much responsibility on them. However, several issues exist around the relationship between the police and the public. The most notable issue centres on the issue of public trust. Trust is the glue that binds all human interaction. In this chapter, trust is presented as an individual concept that links public trust to the organization of the police, bearing in mind that contexts frame the perception of the police. This chapter draws upon empirical evidence from three years grant. First, a working definition of trust is provided, followed by how trust is defined from the public’s perspective. This chapter concludes with a discussion of possible strategies and actionable steps that must be developed to contribute to more positive and trustful interactions between the public and the police.