Determinants of satisfaction with police in a developing country: a randomised vignette study

Abstract

This study examines the effects of three theoretical factors representing both process-based and outcome-based dimensions of police actions on attitudes towards police using an experimental vignette design. We constructed two vignettes depicting citizens' plausible encounters with police in an urban setting in a developing country (i.e. Accra, Ghana) and varied the level of police procedural justice, measured by quality of treatment, lawfulness, measured by whether or not a bribe is present, and effectiveness, measured by whether or not the offender was caught. In line with previous research, we find that dimensions of police procedural justice, lawfulness, and effectiveness all increase citizens' satisfaction. However, we find that in certain situations, unlawfulness and ineffectiveness can undermine any positive influence of procedural justice policing on satisfaction. These findings have implications for criminal justice institutions seeking to improve relations with citizens and boost satisfaction and ultimately legitimacy. ARTICLE HISTORY

Traffic violations and cooperative intentions among drivers: the role of corruption and fairness

“…Analysing survey data from Ghana, Tankebe (2010) demonstrated that different experiences of corruption had different effects on confidence in the police; specifically, vicarious experiences of corruption were found to undermine confidence in the police, but direct experiences did not. Using data from factorial survey design in Ghana, Nivette and Akoensi (2017) found that people exposed to police corruption expressed dissatisfaction with the police.…”

Carbon Credit Risk Mitigation of Deforestation: A Study on the Performance of P2H Products and Services in Indonesia

“…Furthermore, policy implementation requires compliance as a condition of success so that its outcomes can be matched with the stakeholders' expectations (Barkemeyer, 2009). Therefore, for the successful implementation of policies, the implementers' legitimacy is also necessary (Nivette & Akoensi, 2019). Nivette and Akoensi (2019) state that legitimacy is the power to rule such that the policy's implementer becomes obedient to the regulatory makers and stakeholders and makes the right decisions and follows the policies that have been set.…”

“…Therefore, for the successful implementation of policies, the implementers' legitimacy is also necessary (Nivette & Akoensi, 2019). Nivette and Akoensi (2019) state that legitimacy is the power to rule such that the policy's implementer becomes obedient to the regulatory makers and stakeholders and makes the right decisions and follows the policies that have been set. According to Nivette and Akoensi (2019), legislation is necessary to enforce the provisions if there is no compliance from the implementer in implementing the policy; that is, there will be sanctions or fines under the applicable rules.…”

“…Nivette and Akoensi (2019) state that legitimacy is the power to rule such that the policy's implementer becomes obedient to the regulatory makers and stakeholders and makes the right decisions and follows the policies that have been set. According to Nivette and Akoensi (2019), legislation is necessary to enforce the provisions if there is no compliance from the implementer in implementing the policy; that is, there will be sanctions or fines under the applicable rules. According to Scott (2009) and Skogstad (2003), the party with the primary and ultimate authority to govern the implementation of policies is the government in power.…”

Corruption Intentions Among Prospective Elites in Ghana: An Economy of Esteem

“…The word “corruption” denotes “the misuse of public power for private benefit” (Lambsdorff, 2007, p. 1). It is axiomatic that corruption threatens the proper functioning of democracies; it undermines the rule of law and institutional legitimacy, reduces revenue generation, and stifles economic development (Mungiu-Pippidi, 2006; Nivette & Akoensi, 2017). Cross-national studies have linked levels of corruption to cultural beliefs, education, social fragmentation, size of government, and income inequality (see Heath, Richards, & de Graaf, 2016; Stevens, 2016).…”