| Summary: | The aim of this research was to advance academic understanding of how the public constructs police legitimacy by: (1) examining the criteria employed in approving / disapproving of police behaviour; (2) Identifying those features of police-public encounters that promote favourable or unfavourable assessments from the public; (3) Compare similarities and differences between younger people and adults drawn from different neighbourhood types and ethnic groups. The ultimate purpose was to improve the quality of service provided to the public by police agencies and private security companies by: (1) Sensitising officers to how their actions are appraised by the public they serve and (2) Raising awareness of the differences in evaluations of police conduct amongst a diverse population. This research is designed to delve into police-public encounters and identify those features of which the public approves or disapproves. This is important as previous research indicates that whilst most people value the police as an institution, their experience of contact with police officers is less favourable. What is it about such experience that leaves people with an unflattering impression? Equally, what is the good practice of which they approve? It is also well-established that attitudes to the police are least favourable amongst the young and ethnic minorities, and also varies with lifestyle. Is this because young people, ethnic minorities and those with particular lifestyles are treated differently by the police, or do these groups have an 'anti-police' bias?
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