police power 治安权 １指一个主权国家所享有的，为维持公共安全、公共秩序、公共卫生、公德和社会正义而制定所有必需和正当法律的内在和绝对权力。它是政府所必需的一项基本权力，不能为立法机关所放弃或从政府中转移。２指根据美国宪法第十条修正案授予州的权力，依此权，州有权制定和实施保障公共卫生、公共安全和社会福利的法律，或将此权委托给地方政府。不过州行使此项权力应受正当程序和其他规定的限制。３泛指政府对私有财产使用的干预，如将该财产予以征用〔eminent domain〕。 (→eminent domain)
police power. 1. The inherent and plenary power of a sovereign to make all laws necessary and proper to preserve the public security, order, health, morality, and justice. • It is a fundamental power essential to government, and it cannot be surrendered by the legislature or irrevocably transferred away from government. [Cases: Constitutional Law 81.