Core Rule
Government officers do not carry unlimited power. Constitutional powers are granted by the Constitution. Statutes may delegate authority within those powers. Agencies and officers execute only the authority lawfully delegated to them.
A.B.E. Chain of Authority
Constitutional power → statutory authority → agency duty → officer execution → factual conduct
Iowa Law Enforcement Example
If Iowa law enforcement conducts an enforcement action outside the statutory duties and responsibilities prescribed by Iowa Code §§ 80.9 and 80.17, A.B.E. flags potential ultra vires conduct because execution may have exceeded delegated authority and jurisdictional scope.
Important Distinction
Within this framework, state police do not possess inherent standalone constitutional police power. They possess delegated statutory authority bounded by constitutional limits.