Legal Definitions - police power

Definition: Police power is the inherent and complete power of a government to create and enforce laws that are necessary to maintain public safety, order, health, morality, and justice. This power is essential to the functioning of a government and cannot be given up or transferred away.

Examples:

• A city government enacts a law requiring all buildings to have fire exits and fire extinguishers. This law is an exercise of police power because it is necessary to protect public safety.
• A state government passes a law prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to minors. This law is an exercise of police power because it is necessary to protect public health.
• A federal government enacts a law prohibiting discriminationbased on race or gender. This law is an exercise of police power because it is necessary to promote justice and equality.

These examples illustrate how police power is used to create laws that protect the public and promote the common good. Without police power, governments would not be able to enforce laws that are necessary for the well-being of society.