Over de legitimiteit van het hedendaagse politie-optreden

Samenvatting

The police have received little attention in the Dutch sociological literature. Examined is the relationship of police & the public in a changing Dutch society. The information is taken largely from the personal experience of police officers. The legitimacy of the police is based primarily on political organizations. Its authority was greatly weakened in the 1960s, however, & its task was further complicated by the citizenry becoming less willing to cooperate in enforcing laws. Despite the public lessening of confidence, the police still have at their domain the power to violently carry out the stipulations of the law, although this leads to further erosion of legitimacy in the view of the public. One means the police have at their disposal to increase their public acceptance is the exchange of services for public respect. In return for protection & other services the police can render, the citizens increase their acceptance of & cooperation with the police. The police have gained a measure of public support by forming a certain constituency, an "ingroup," contrasted to an "outgroup," & have tried to make themselves independent of political authority. P. Tiersma.