Trust, Risk and Public Willingness to Cooperate with the Police : Evidence from a Mixed-Methods Study

Manzin, Massimo and Bavec, Cene and Škornik, Vanesa (2026) Trust, Risk and Public Willingness to Cooperate with the Police : Evidence from a Mixed-Methods Study. MAGYAR RENDÉSZET, 26 (1). pp. 55-71. ISSN 1586-2895

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Abstract

Objective: Previous research into public trust in the police has focused on cooperativeness as an outcome massively influenced by trust. Nevertheless, our understanding of the relationship between different types of trust and citizens’ propensity to support policing remains insufficient, especially regarding personal risk. This study examines how perceptions of the police as fair, effective and community-oriented organisation influence cooperation. It also explores whether trust remains a predictor in instances where assistance involves higher personal or social costs.Methodology: A mixed-methods approach was used, including a survey of 319 residents, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM), and follow-up focus groups to identify the barriers residents encountered when trying to collaborate in situations involving heightened risk. EFA is a method of uncovering hidden patterns in people’s responses. When a questionnaire contains many items, the answers often cluster together in meaningful ways. EFA identifies these clusters and shows which items belong to the same underlying concept. Structural equation modelling (SEM) shows how different concepts are connected, which concepts lead to specific outcomes, and how strong each connection is. The quantitative analysis found three dimensions of trust: procedural justice, distributive justice and police effectiveness, alongside community commitment. Cooperation proved to be a two-factor structure consisting of obedience and voluntary assistance to the police.Findings: Trust was only a significant predictor of cooperative behaviour in low-risk situations involving minor incidents or transgressions, and where little personal vulnerability was evident. Willingness to report violations of more serious rules (assaults, drug sales or corruption) did not scale similarly with trust. Common barriers related to fear of reprisal, lack of trust in the system and possible social or professional consequences were supported by qualitative data.Value: This research demonstrates that trust can promote cooperation, but only when individuals do not feel personally vulnerable. It highlights the need for contemporary campaigns that promote secure, responsible institutional environments to increase public participation.

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