Perceptions of police procedures and trust in police: police encounters and media literacy do matter

Purpose Examining how collectively different types of police–citizen encounters and aspects of media literacy affect procedural justice and trust in police in an Asian context. Design/methodology/approach Using a large sample of 1,357 respondents from Taiwan and ordinary linear regression analysis. Findings This study indicates that both citizen-initiated and police-initiated direct encounters affect the public’s perceptions of procedural justice more so than they do for trust in police. Moreover, traditional media consumption, fact checks and media awareness are positively associated with perceptions of procedural justice and trust in police among Taiwanese citizens. Originality/value The current study contributes to the policing literature in terms of procedural justice and trust in police by examining the influence of various types of police encounters and media literacy among Taiwanese citizens. The current empirical outcomes might also serve as a preliminary vehicle to support policies and practices that would improve perceptions of police legitimacy in an Asian context.