Protecting community life

Public safety concerns the prevention of dangers; public peace concerns nuisances in particular; public health concerns hygiene and health conditions in the community.

Freedoms and restrictions

An administrative policing measure intended to prevent a disturbance must be necessary, appropriate and proportionate. Invoking public order does not allow the authorities to arbitrarily abolish a freedom.

Another legal meaning

In civil law, a rule described as a public policy rule is a mandatory rule that cannot be overridden by a private agreement. This meaning must be distinguished from public order in the context of administrative policing.