An Empirical Study on the Relationship between the Comfort Perception of Police Uniform and Police Officers’ Self-legitimacy

Self-legitimacy can build confidence in police officers performing their duties, and enable them to make sound decisions or effectively use their discretion. Although many studies have been conducted on the antecedents of police legitimacy, which are widely known, studies on self-legitimacy are relatively rare. Thus, research on the antecedents of self-legitimacy is urgently needed. This study aims to identify the antecedents of self-legitimacy perceived by police officers. Meanwhile, the perception of police uniforms is known to enhance police officers’ self-legitimacy by strengthening their belief in their own authority and social status (Joseph & Alex, 1972), so we examine the relationship with the perception of police uniforms. First, we review the related theoretical background and establish hypotheses. In order to test the hypotheses, we conduct a survey of police officers nationwide and derive the results. Then, we analyze the results of an empirical study conducted on police officers who responded nationwide and present implications that can be utilized by the police based on the research results.