This study investigates the validation of the Police Legitimacy Scale (PLS) within the Canadian context, providing empirical evidence of its reliability and validity in assessing public perceptions of police legitimacy. The PLS, developed to measure the legitimacy of law enforcement agencies, has gained widespread use globally. However, its application and validation in Canada have remained limited. Through a comprehensive survey of Canadian citizens, this research examines the factor structure, internal consistency, and construct validity of the PLS. The findings highlight the scale’s effectiveness in capturing key dimensions of police legitimacy, such as fairness, transparency, and accountability, while also offering insights into regional and demographic variations in perceptions of the police. The study also discusses the implications for law enforcement agencies in Canada, emphasizing the importance of fostering public trust and legitimacy in policing practices. The results contribute to the growing body of literature on police legitimacy and inform policy recommendations aimed at improving community-police relations in Canada.

Police legitimacy, Police Legitimacy Scale, validation

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