Persuasive communication in policing and public response: implication for governance and state legitimacy

Abstract

In contemporary governance, policing institutions are increasingly evaluated not only by theirability to maintain public order but also by their effectiveness in communicating with citizens.Persuasive communication has become essential in shaping legitimacy, strengthening trust, and encouraging positive public responses. This study aims to examine how persuasive communication influences public response from a political communication perspective, both directly and indirectly through political communication and public trust. A quantitative explanatory approach was employed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Data were collected from 150 respondents who had been exposed to police communication through official media channels, online platforms, or direct interaction. The analysis involved measurement model testing, structural model evaluation, and mediation analysis. The findings indicate that persuasive communication has a significant positive effect on political communication and public response. Political communication also positively influences public response, while public trust plays an important role in strengthening favorable reactions from citizens. Furthermore, political communication and public trust significantly mediate the relationship between persuasive communication and public response. These results demonstrate that public response is shaped not only by institutional authority or policy substance, but also by communication quality, credibility, and trust-building efforts. In conclusion, persuasive communication is a strategic instrument for modern policing institutions seeking stronger legitimacy and sustainable public support. Effective communication strategies that emphasize transparency, consistency, responsiveness, and trust are necessary to improve relationships between police institutions and society in the digital era.