What term relates to how public perception has been shaped about police actions and beliefs?

The term that directly relates to how public perception has been shaped regarding police actions and beliefs is better understood as public opinion. Public opinion encompasses the collective attitudes and beliefs of individuals in society regarding various issues, including law enforcement practices. It reflects how citizens view the police based on their experiences, media portrayals, and societal narratives.

While stereotypes about cops might influence public perception, they represent a specific aspect of public opinion rather than the broader term that encompasses all perspectives on law enforcement. Community relations is focused on the interaction and relationship-building between the police and the communities they serve, which is an important aspect but does not fully capture the concept of how perceptions are shaped. Social norms pertain to the accepted behaviors and beliefs within a society but are distinct from the specific perceptions and attitudes that individuals hold about the police and their actions. Thus, public opinion is the term that best encapsulates the shaping of perceptions surrounding policing.