Legislative authority granted to law enforcement officials and others to protect the health and welfare of the people through the use of punitive measures.
The authority of government to restrict the rights of individuals to protect the health and welfare of the public. In the health care context, police power may be invoked by public health officials, for example, to quarantine infected individuals in order to control an epidemic, or to carry out an unannounced inspection of a restaurant, housing, or institution to ensure compliance with health and safety codes.
The authority of government to restrict the rights of individuals to protect the health and welfare of the public. In the health care context, police power may be invoked by public health officials, for example, to quarantine infected individuals in order to control an epidemic, or to carry out an unannounced inspection of a restaurant, housing, or institution to ensure compliance with health and safety codes.