Brief PPT on Procedural Justice, what it is, why it is important, and how to practice it.

1. Chief Daniel W. Pennington
Freeport Police Department

2. To familiarize officers with the Procedural Justice
(PJ) policing strategy by specifically talking about,
• What is Procedural Justice?
• How to practice Procedural Justice?
• How Procedural Justice can improve legitimacy and trust
between officers’ and the public while also making officers’
job easier, safer, and more effective?
• How Procedural Justice can improve morale, turnover,
communication, and interactions among employees at the
police department?

3.  The Procedural Justice - strategy which argues that the legitimacy of
authorities is linked to people’s judgements about the fairness of the
processes through which those authorities make decisions and exercise
authority.
 Essentially, research says that if people decide authorities perform their
job using a fair process, those people will view the authority as
legitimate.
 Legitimacy – is the belief that someone ought to be allowed to exercise
their authority.
 Why is legitimacy important?
 It causes an increase in the public’s
 Acceptance with decision and satisfaction with the decision maker
 Cooperation with authorities
 Compliance with the law and authorities

4. LegitimacyProcedural Justice
Improved decision
acceptance &
satisfaction with the
decision maker
Greater cooperation &
collaboration
More compliance with the
laws, rules, & policies

5.  To exercise Procedural Justice, authorities need to follow its four cornerstones.
 Voice - people want an opportunity to explain their situation to an authority
before decisions are made. They want to tell their side of the story and be
heard. Don’t cut them off. Actively listen.
 Neutrality - People react positively to evidence that authorities with whom they
are dealing are neutral and impartial. This involves making decisions
consistently and not based on personal opinions and biases. Also requires
transparency.
 Respect - People are sensitive to whether they are treated fairly, respectfully,
and politely as well as with dignity. In addition, they want their freedoms and
rights protected.
 Trustworthiness - People focus on cues that communicate information about
the intentions and character of the authorities with whom they are dealing.
They should appear sincere, caring, and compassionate as well as explain or
justify their actions.

6.  According to research, people consider both the outcome of a decision
and the process by which the decision was made when forming their
opinion about whether the authorities’ decision was fair
 Assessment = Process + Outcome (Positive or Negative)
 Process, when handled appropriately, can offset a negative outcome.
 For example, if a member of the public receives a speeding ticket
(negative outcome), but was treated fairly during the interaction with the
officer issuing the ticket (positive process), the driver is more likely to feel
that the encounter was fair and less likely to contest the ticket. The
driver is also more likely to comply with the officer’s requests, such as
producing identification when asked. So, “Sell The Stop”!

8. In recent years, Procedural Justice has significantly changed law enforcement
agencies in many ways. For example, PJ has;
• Altered law enforcement’s understanding of how people assess the actions of the police
(Assessment = Process + Outcome).
• Agencies are focusing their efforts on providing people a fair process to in order to improve
their overall assessment.
• Demonstrated a causal link between process and legitimacy, not crime rates and
legitimacy.
• Police are using PJ to build legitimacy and trust, instead of primarily focusing on reducing
crime using harsh crime suppression tactics to improve trust.
• Scientifically proved the benefits of increased legitimacy (i.e., satisfaction, cooperation,
and compliance).
• Law enforcement authorities are following a strategy that is more effective and safer.
• Changed the way the police interact with the public as well as internally with each other.
• Authorities now understand that every interaction is either a deposit or withdrawal in the
trust bank account.
• Moved officers from a warrior mindset to that of being a guardian.
• Officers are becoming crime prevention partners with the community and moving away from
being viewed as an occupying force.

9. If the agency’s leaders practice internal PJ, it will undergo several operational
changes;
• Supervisors will focus on treating officers with dignity and respect
• Leadership will ensure the agency’s disciplinary, hiring, supervision, transfer, professional
development and promotional systems are fair and impartial
• Internal communication will take place in an open and transparent manner
• Officers’ input will be solicited regarding major internal issues
• Supervisors will listen to employees’ concerns and explain the reasons for
changes/decisions
By practicing internal PJ, the department will experience several positive
outcomes;
• Higher job satisfaction, worker commitment, employee engagement, and cooperation
• Less employee turnover, workplace disharmony, and grievances
• Positive organizational transformation and an improvement in work culture
• Officers will be more likely to adhere to department policies, procedures and rules
• Organization will be more productive and effective
• Agency as well as the rank and file will experience an increase in trust and legitimacy

10. • Changes in the way officers interact with citizens as a result of practicing
external PJ include;
• People will be provided an opportunity to tell their side of the story to officers.
• Officers will explain their actions/decisions to those impacted by them.
• The police will treat citizens with dignity and respect.
• Police decisions will be based on law and facts, not on personal opinion and bias.
• Law enforcement will take concerted efforts towards community engagement
• Benefits to the community as a result of the department practicing external PJ;
• Higher public cooperation with the police from citizens in managing crime.
• More citizen adherence to the law and officers’ requests.
• Higher public satisfaction with, and support of, the police and their decisions.
• Fewer complaints, disagreements, and assaults on officers.
• Officers move from a warrior mindset to that of being a guardian.
• An overall increase in public trust and legitimacy

12. Questions?
Chief Daniel W. Pennington
Freeport Police Department