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Our wide jurisdiction and extensive experience inform our innovative investigative techniques. Read more to learn how we do our work.
Enforcing Federal Statutes
If it has anything to do with preserving the safety, security, and integrity of the nation’s mail system from criminal misuse, we do it. Our Postal Inspectors are federal law enforcement officers who carry firearms, make arrests, execute federal search warrants, and serve subpoenas. Over 1200 Inspectors enforce roughly 200 federal laws covering crimes that include fraudulent use of the U.S. Mail® and the postal system.
Investigating Postal Crimes
Postal Inspectors investigate any crime with a nexus to the mail. These crimes include mail theft, mail fraud, financial fraud, identity theft, robberies and burglaries of postal facilities, assaults and threats on postal employees, investigations of dangerous and prohibited mails, narcotics, cybercrime and much more.
Once an investigation is underway, Postal Inspectors present the case to prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and local prosecutors. Throughout the prosecution, Postal Inspectors and other Postal Inspection Service employees can be called to provide testimony and explain their findings, process, and conclusions.
Responding to Disasters
The Postal Inspection Service responds to emergencies, natural or man-made. Because mail is a vital utility like water or electricity, restoring mail service is essential to maintaining a sense of normalcy after a disaster. Postal Inspectors and Postal PoliceOfficers respond to disasters by making sure postal employees are accounted for, securing damaged postal facilities and equipment, and assisting the Postal Service with temporary mail distribution plans.
In the rare case of a suspicious package, specially trained Postal Inspectors are deployed to secure the package and protect mail facilities, employees, and customers. Investigations of suspicious mail are unusual and complex cases. Postal Inspectors tirelessly investigate such crimes until the cases are closed.
Preventing Crimes
The Postal Inspection Service is one of the few federal law enforcement agencies that promotes crime prevention. An important element of the Postal Inspection Service’s crime prevention efforts is informing and educating consumers, especially older Americans, about mail fraud. Postal Inspectors have found that educating people through fraud prevention campaigns and the media is the best way to prevent them from being scammed.
Providing Security
The security part of the Postal Inspection Service’s mission means ensuring postal employees, customers, and over 32,000 postal facilities are safe from criminal attack. Our security force of armed, uniformed Postal Police® Officers is assigned to provide physical security and protect critical postal facilities. Our security specialists analyze risks at postal facilities and implement solutions to minimize risks to employees and facilities. Additionally, Postal Inspectors provide enhanced security for mail services at major political, cultural, and sporting events.
High-value deliveries often require the special skills of the Postal Inspection Service. From planning to overseeing security, the Postal Inspection Service has ensured the safe delivery of moving all the nation’s gold to Fort Knox and the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian.
Collecting and Analyzing Evidence
The Postal Inspection Service maintains a world-class crime laboratory where forensic scientists conduct examinations on questioned documents; analyze fingerprints, narcotics and physical evidence; and provide digital evidence support. Postal Inspectors often rely on the expertise of forensic analysts stationed at the National Forensic Laboratory Services to solve mail-related crimes. These highly skilled forensic scientists, forensic chemists, latent print analysts, and forensic computer analysts play a key role in identifying, apprehending, prosecuting, and convicting individuals responsible for mail-related crimes.
Partnering Against Crime
Postal Inspectors partner with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as foreign agencies to investigate mail-related crimes. These partnerships and task forces have helped Postal Inspectors dismantle drug and human trafficking networks, extradite foreign criminals, and prevent possible acts of terrorism.
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As an expert with a deep understanding of law enforcement and investigative techniques, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge in the field. My extensive experience allows me to delve into the intricacies of the Postal Inspection Service, a critical component of the nation's security apparatus. Let me provide you with a comprehensive breakdown of the concepts covered in the article:
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Enforcing Federal Statutes:
- The Postal Inspection Service is involved in preserving the safety, security, and integrity of the nation's mail system.
- Postal Inspectors, as federal law enforcement officers, carry out various tasks, including making arrests, executing federal search warrants, and serving subpoenas.
- They enforce approximately 200 federal laws, addressing crimes such as fraudulent use of the U.S. Mail and crimes related to the postal system.
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Investigating Postal Crimes:
- Postal Inspectors investigate a broad spectrum of crimes connected to the mail, including mail theft, mail fraud, financial fraud, identity theft, robberies, burglaries, assaults, threats on postal employees, narcotics, cybercrime, and more.
- The investigative process involves presenting cases to prosecutors and providing testimony throughout the prosecution.
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Responding to Disasters:
- The Postal Inspection Service plays a crucial role in responding to emergencies, ensuring the continuity of mail service after disasters.
- Postal Inspectors and Postal Police Officers secure damaged postal facilities, account for postal employees, and assist in temporary mail distribution plans.
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Preventing Crimes:
- The Postal Inspection Service actively promotes crime prevention, particularly through educating consumers about mail fraud.
- Fraud prevention campaigns and media engagement are essential elements in preventing individuals, especially older Americans, from falling victim to scams.
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Providing Security:
- Security is a key mission of the Postal Inspection Service, involving the protection of postal employees, customers, and facilities.
- Armed and uniformed Postal Police Officers provide physical security, and security specialists analyze and mitigate risks at postal facilities.
- The service also ensures enhanced security for high-value deliveries and major events.
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Collecting and Analyzing Evidence:
- The Postal Inspection Service operates a world-class crime laboratory where forensic scientists examine questioned documents, analyze fingerprints, narcotics, physical evidence, and provide digital evidence support.
- Forensic analysts play a crucial role in identifying, apprehending, prosecuting, and convicting individuals responsible for mail-related crimes.
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Partnering Against Crime:
- Postal Inspectors collaborate with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as foreign agencies, to investigate mail-related crimes.
- Partnerships and task forces contribute to dismantling criminal networks, extraditing foreign criminals, and preventing potential acts of terrorism.
In summary, the Postal Inspection Service is a multifaceted organization that plays a vital role in enforcing laws, investigating crimes, responding to emergencies, preventing criminal activities, providing security, and collaborating with other law enforcement entities to ensure the safety and integrity of the nation's mail system.
