police power

noun

1. the power of a nation, within the limits of its constitution, to regulate the conduct of its citizens in the interest of the common good.

Word History and Origins

Origin of police power¹

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30

Example Sentences

The insulation of police power within city administrative structures is not new or limited to the city manager system.

From Washington Post

Nevertheless, the idea of radically decreasing both police power and the amount of resources spent on policing wasn’t going anywhere.

From Washington Post

These outcomes may reflect a broader pattern of unlawful or excessive use of police powers.

From FiveThirtyEight

Authorities said the four officers in the vehicle have been put on leave with their police powers revoked as the investigation proceeds.

From Washington Post

Across the country, these private police receive little public oversight or scrutiny even though they carry weapons and often operate with full police powers — usually granted to them by the state or city they operate in.

From ProPublica

Here, also, would be included studies of the extension of the police power to promote the national welfare.

From Project Gutenberg

If it is compulsory it must rest entirely within the police power of the State.

From Project Gutenberg

In other words, it was virtually held that it was not, and so that the law was not a proper exercise of the police power.

From Project Gutenberg

Police power would have to be reduced to the minimum necessary to protect life and keep the industries running.

From Project Gutenberg

Can one conceive of a property whose use the police power should determine, whose abuse it should repress?

From Project Gutenberg