Final answer:
Legitimacy in law enforcement concerns the public's belief that police authority is appropriately used and justified. Rational-legal legitimacy, where authority comes from the law and established procedures, is crucial for community trust. Illegitimate actions by police can damage the crucial relationship between law enforcement and the community.
Step-by-step explanation:
Legitimacy in law enforcement and their relation with the community refers to the public belief that the authority exercised by law enforcement is appropriate, justified, and should be complied with. When police actions are consistent with the laws and social expectations, community members view the police as legitimate.
This is central to the concept of rational-legal legitimacy, as coined by sociologist Max Weber, which posits that the validity of authority stems from a system of rules and accepted procedures rather than the idiosyncrasies of individual officials.
For example, when a police officer makes a traffic stop because a driver is speeding, this is a legitimate exercise of power. The community understands and accepts this authority as the officer is enforcing the law. However, if an officer were to use their power for personal gain or act based on racial profiling, such as pulling over someone simply for "driving while black", this would be considered an illegitimate use of authority and could damage the relationship between law enforcement and the community. Police legitimacy is crucial for maintaining public trust and cooperation, which are essential elements of effective law enforcement and community safety.