A comunicação como instrumento de legitimidade na segurança pública: fundamentos para a atuação da Polícia Rodoviária Federal

Abstract

Communication constitutes a central element of social and institutional relations, going beyond the instrumental function of transmitting information to assume a structuring role in the production of meaning, in mutual recognition, and in the construction of legitimacy. Despite this centrality, in contemporary society—and particularly within Public Administration—authoritarian practices still persist, characterized by the unilateral imposition of decisions, the weakening of spaces for listening, and the tendency to reduce communication to mechanisms of institutional dissemination. Such a scenario highlights the need to overcome traditional models, requiring the incorporation of communicative rationality into decision-making processes, with emphasis on dialogue, argumentation, and the inclusion of citizens as legitimate interlocutors. In this context, the theoretical contributions of Jürgen Habermas stand out, particularly through the theories of communicative action and discourse, which provide normative and analytical foundations for administrative practices focused on rational argumentation and equality of participation. Public security, traditionally structured under a repressive and verticalized model, emerges as one of the institutional fields most sensitive to the need for the re-signification of its practices. Such transformation becomes even more imperative given its recognition as a fundamental right and its close connection to the principles of human dignity and citizenship. Within this context, the Polícia Rodoviária Federal (PRF) has gradually expanded its scope of action, developing initiatives aimed at prevention, education, protection, social participation, and respect for human rights. Although challenges persist, a favorable environment can be perceived for the consolidation of more qualified communicative practices capable of strengthening social trust and the legitimacy of police authority. In light of this, the present research proposes to analyze how communication can function as an instrument of legitimacy in public security within the Brazilian democratic context, taking the actions of the Federal Highway Police as its empirical focus. To this end, a qualitative methodological approach is adopted, based on bibliographic and documentary review, with exploratory and analytical objectives.