Which term refers to the feelings of anger and distrust that citizens may harbor towards police?

The term that best captures the feelings of anger and distrust that citizens may harbor towards police is hostility from citizens. This phrase specifically denotes a strong emotional reaction, characterized by antagonism or resentment that can arise from negative experiences, perceived injustices, or a lack of trust in law enforcement practices.

When citizens experience hostility towards the police, it often reflects deeper societal issues, such as racial tensions, incidents of police brutality, or a general feeling of being marginalized. This emotional state can hinder effective community policing and may lead to increased tensions between law enforcement and the communities they serve, making it crucial for police departments to address these feelings through engagement, transparency, and reform.

The other terms, while related, do not specifically convey the intensity of emotion associated with "hostility." Concepts like discontentment with authority or public frustration can imply dissatisfaction, but they do not carry the same connotation of strong animosity. Community rejection, though it indicates a lack of acceptance, also fails to encapsulate the specific anger and distrust felt towards police that "hostility from citizens" encompasses.