The Nexus between Socio-Economic Deprivation, Perceived Police Legitimacy and Effectiveness, and Public Willingness to Report Crime: A Quantitative Study of Residents in Karachi

Abstract

This quantitative study examined interrelationships between socio-economic deprivation, perceived police legitimacy and effectiveness (PPLE), and public willingness to report crime in Karachi, Pakistan. The primary objectives were to measure these variables and test a theoretical model proposing that PPLE mediates the effect of deprivation on reporting intentions. A cross-sectional survey using a stratified multi-stage sampling design collected data from 585 adult residents across diverse Karachi neighborhoods. The survey instrument included a Socio-Economic Deprivation Index, subscales measuring Perceived Police Effectiveness and Perceived Police Legitimacy (combined into a PPLE composite), and a Willingness to Report scale. Items were 5-point Likert responses; subscale reliabilities were satisfactory (Socio-economic deprivation a = .74; Perceived Police Effectiveness a = .82; Perceived Police Legitimacy a = .84; Willingness to Report a = .79). Data were analyzed using Spearman correlations and mediation analysis (Hayes’ PROCESS). Results show that greater socio-economic deprivation is associated with lower willingness to report and more negative PPLE; higher PPLE is associated with greater willingness to report. Mediation analysis indicated that PPLE is a significant partial mediator of the deprivation --> reporting relationship. Findings suggest that deficits in police legitimacy and effectiveness are an important mechanism by which structural inequality suppresses public cooperation. Implications include prioritizing procedural-justice reforms and integrating social development into policing strategies.