Reconceptualizing Demeanor: The Implications of Civilian Procedurally Just Cooperation for Police Culture

Abstract

This study revisits classic theoretical arguments regarding the broad effects of civilian demeanor on policing and extends associated findings. Our theoretical framework draws on the literatures on police culture, the group engagement model and fairness heuristic theory. We argue that demeanor should be conceptualized as the degree of procedural justice exhibited by civilians. Theoretically, procedurally just cooperation should influence officers’ adherence to police culture by affecting their social identification and assessments of civilians’ motives and moral deservingness. An analysis of data from a sample of police officers reveals that officers who perceive greater procedurally just cooperation feel less threatened by the public, are more willing to use procedural justice themselves, and are less supportive of a “tough cop” policing style.