United States Postal Service Postal Inspectors are federal sworn law enforcement officers. As their title indicates, Congress empowered the Postal Service "to investigate postal offenses and civil matters relating to the Postal Service." They are obviously responsible for enforcing those sections of the United States Code which pertain to crimes involving the U.S. Postal Service. Some of which follow below:
Blackmail & Threatening Communications
18 U.S.C. 873 Blackmail
18 U.S.C. 876 Mailing threatening communications
18 U.S.C. 877 Mailing threatening communications from a foreign country
Child Pornography
18 U.S.C. 2251 Sexual Exploitation of Children
Counterfeiting & Related Crimes
18 U.S.C. 501 Postage stamps, postage meter stamps and postal cards
18 U.S.C. 1720 Canceled stamps and envelopes
18 U.S.C. 503 Postmarking stamps
18 U.S.C. 500 Money orders
Destruction, Obstruction & Delay of Mail
18 U.S.C. 1700 Desertion of mail
18 U.S.C. 1701 Obstruction of mail generally
18 U.S.C. 1702 Obstruction of correspondence
18 U.S.C. 1703 Delay or destruction of mail or newspapers
Employee Theft & Embezzlement
18 U.S.C. 1709 Theft of mail matter by officer or employee
18 U.S.C. 1711 Misappropriation of postal funds
Lotteries
18 U.S.C. 1301 Importing or transporting lottery tickets
18 U.S.C. 1302 Mailing lottery tickets or related matter
18 U.S.C. 1303 Postmaster or employee as lottery agent
39 U.S.C. 3005 False representation; lotteries
Lottery Exceptions
18 U.S.C. 1305 Fishing contests
18 U.S.C. 1307 Other exceptions
Mailbox Destruction
18 U.S.C. 1705 Destruction of letter boxes
Mail Fraud & Misrepresentation
18 U.S.C. 1341 Frauds and swindles
18 U.S.C. 1342 Fictitious name or address
18 U.S.C. 1345 Injunctions against fraud
39 U.S.C. 3005 False representation; lotteries
Nonmailables
18 U.S.C. 1715 Firearms as nonmailable
18 U.S.C. 1716 Injurious articles as nonmailable
18 U.S.C. 1717 Letters and writings as nonmailable
Obscenity & Sexually Oriented Advertising
18 U.S.C. 1461 Mailing obscene or crime-inciting matter
18 U.S.C. 1463 Mailing indecent matter on wrappers or envelopes
18 U.S.C. 1735 Sexually oriented advertising
Theft
18 U.S.C. 1704 Keys or locks stolen or reproduced
18 U.S.C. 1706 Injury to mail bags
18 U.S.C. 1707 Theft of property used by Postal Service
18 U.S.C. 1708 Theft or receipt of stolen mail matter generally
As can be seen, some crimes can involve overlap with other agencies, ie., counterfeiting with Secret Service, importing with Customs, narcotics with DEA.
Having been founded by Ben Franklin, the postal inspection service is reportedly the oldest federal law enforcement agency. From those who have worked along side them, they have one of the finest crime labs available.
Postal Inspectors are federal officers who carry firearms, make arrests and serve federal search warrants and subpoenas. Inspectors work closely with U.S. Attorneys, other law enforcement agencies and local prosecutors to investigate postal cases and prepare them for court. There are approximately 2,200 Postal Inspectors stationed throughout the United States, and they enforce over 200 federal laws covering investigations of crimes that adversely affect or fraudulently use the U.S. Mail and postal system.
Basic training for Postal Inspectors, refresher courses and specialized courses are conducted at the Postal Service’s William F. Bolger Center for Leadership Development in Potomac, MD. The training academy has on-site dormitory, dining, classroom, fitness and firearms facilities. All Inspectors undergo 14 weeks of basic training, which covers investigative techniques, defensive tactics, firearms, legal matters, search and seizure, arrest techniques, court procedures, postal operations and a detailed study of the federal laws over which the Postal Inspection Service has jurisdiction. Postal Police Officers undergo a basic training course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center at Glynco, GA.
In New York City, the main field office may be found at the GPO on 8th Avenue and there are smaller satellite offices throughout the area.
The USPIS was actively recruiting and beefing-up its ranks following the anthrax boondoggle in which several people were killed and no arrests were made.
Many law enforcement agencies tactical teams, both federal and local, are armed with the Heckler & Koch MP-5 when executing warrants. It's short length makes it particularly suitable for "close quarters combat." These days, it's not uncommon to see NYPD ESU officers standing post at certain events with this weapon.
RW
Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below 
.jpg "Research Chemical Sciences")
.png "Research Chemical Sciences")
