Beyond police apologies: Concrete plans of action increase the public’s willingness to cooperate with police

This experimental study examined if people are more willing to cooperate with police after police apologize and provide a plan of action to prevent wrongdoing in the future. It also tested if prior procedural justice perceptions moderate the effect.

Adults (N = 536) were randomly assigned to read a police apology vignette with or without a plan of action.

Participants were more willing to cooperate with police if the police apology included a plan of action. Effects were stronger among participants with negative perceptions of procedural justice at the start of the study.

In order for police to mend their relationship with their community and enhance voluntary cooperation, police should recognize and apologize for past harm and also explain their plan of action moving forward.