[David]

I read an article recently that said a certain post office was being named after a slain Postal Police Officer.

I have heard of Postal Inspectors (they investigate crimes/scams using the mail), but I have never seen or heard of a Postal Police Officer.

Are they armed?

Are they considered federal LEOs?

Where do they patrol?

:confused: :confused: :confused:

Thanks...

[Mike Irwin]

I THINK that Postal Inspectors and Postal Police are pretty much the same thing...

http://www.fire-police-ems.com/misc/ppp8212.jpg

USPS page on the Postal Police

http://www.usps.com/websites/depart/inspect/welcome2.htm

There are links there for duties, jurisdiction, history, etc.


Interesting personal page on the history of the Postal Police. ANNOYING background music, though.

http://www.kinane.net/joe/ppolice/


Yes, they're armed. Last I heard they were carrying Beretta .40s.

Yes, they're Federal officers.

They investigate crimes involving the mail.


Some years ago in DC I saw a guy messing with a box downtown. All of a sudden several Postal Police, including 1 armed with ashotgun, piled out of several cars and arrested the guy.


Ah, here you are. From the "Who We Are" section of the site...

"As fact-finding and investigative agents, Postal Inspectors are federal law enforcement officers who carry firearms, make arrests and serve federal search warrants and subpoenas."

[Hkmp5sd]

To assist in carrying out its responsibilities, the Postal Inspection Service maintains a Security Force staffed by 1,400 uniformed Postal Police Officers who are assigned to critical postal facilities throughout the country. The officers provide perimeter security, escort high-value mail shipments and perform other essential protective functions.

[Sheldon]

Postal police are like security guards for the postal service...whereas the inspectors are like the detectives that do the actual investigating of postal related crimes.

[Josey]

Yes. There are also GSA Police officers that patrol and protect the facilities. The Postal Police have been expanding/hiring since the mails have been used for terrorism.

[sm]

Dunno about Postal Police.
I do know about Postal Inspectors. You do not want these guys to investigate you.
Had a guy in the same business doing stuff he shouldn't, I worked with a Inspector. My insights because my business was a potential "victim".

[TallPine]

Would you believe I thought this thread was going to be about police officers going "postal" ....?

[TarpleyG]

Can someone definitively tell me whether or not I can legally carry (CWL) my gun into the post office? I have heard good arguments both ways but no one seems to be 100% certain. BTW, I do it anyway but am not sure if I should be or not. Most of my PO business is stopping to check my PO box, sometimes at late hours and it's a bad neighborhood near work.

P.S. Sorry to hijack the thread but I was just reminded to ask.

GT

[jdkelly]

"Dunno about Postal Police.
I do know about Postal Inspectors. You do not want these guys to investigate you."-re1973





I've seen the Postal Inspectors qualify at a local range several times. As a group, they are one of the better shooting government agencies.


Respectfully,

jkelly

[Sheldon]

My understanding is that you cannot bring firearms onto federal property and post offices are considered federal property.

[RWK]

TarpleyG . . .

With 100 percent certainty, you CANNOT carry in a U. S. Postal facility!

[AK103K]

Can someone definitively tell me whether or not I can legally carry (CWL) my gun into the post office? I
Perhaps a Postal Police officer or Inspector can fill us in, since they are the topic here. If you read the cites on the signs, they tend to contradict each other, one says its ok with the usual "lawful purpose" clause, while the other says "no way". As usual, the government doesnt want to give us a straight, clear answer.

[Al Norris]

For a definitive answer, read the text at The Gun Zone. (http://communities.prodigy.net/sportsrec/gz-rtc-usps.html)

The relevant law is:

Title 18, United State Code, Sec. 930. - Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in Federal facilities

a. Except as provided in subsection (d), whoever knowingly possesses or causes to be present a firearm or other dangerous weapon in a Federal facility (other than a Federal court facility), or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.
b.
c.
d. Subsection (a) shall not apply to -
_1.
_2.
_3. the lawful carrying of firearms or other dangerous weapons in a Federal facility incident to hunting or other lawful purposes.

The attorney in the above article, goes on to apply the law as written. Does a darn good job!

I've argued this case with the US Post Master in Boise. He concedes that the exception is what gives local police the authority to enter Post Offices while armed. As to the lawfully armed citizen who carries concealed, he concedes that he has no authority to bar entrance or affect an arrest, since Idaho Statutes only provide that concealed weapons permittees abide by Federal Law when entering any Federal building other than a Court or Detention facility (in which all firearms are forbidden).

[TarpleyG]

Link doesn't work. As usual, I am seeing the same replies I always see. My take is that I am carrying for other lawful purposes and thus exempt.

RWK--where are you getting this information since you are 100% certain. Is it on paper somewhere???

GT

[tcdrennen]

I used to go to the Post Office all the time while working uniformed armed security, to mail things and pick up packages that needed signatures - never had anyone (employee or customer) even blink.

Lawful purpose covers a lot more than some think, even here in the DPR of Kalifornistan.

[4v50 Gary]

My friend's son is a postal police officer. It's like Federal Protective Service for gubmint buildings or Park Police for the National Park Service. Basic law enforcement functions but designed to operate in the Post Office environment. You with the recycled stamp!!! Don't move! Slowly raise your hands above your head. Kidding. ;)

[Mike Irwin]

"Park Police for the National Park Service."

Friend of mine is Park Police officer. They are MUCH more than just the police for the National Park Service.

In Washington, DC, they have regular street patrol duties and are an adjunct to the Metropolitan police. They also have full authority in Virginia. I'm not sure about Maryland.

It's amazing the number of Federal agencies that have armed officers.

Even the Smithsonian has armed officers. There's a firing range in the basement of the Art Museum on the mall.

[Skunkabilly]

Even the Smithsonian has armed officers. There's a firing range in the basement of the Art Museum on the mall.


So you mean I have a reason to go to the other museums other than going into the Air and Space ones every day when I'm stuck in DC? :D

[RWK]

TarpleyG,

I discussed this with friends in the DC area who are: (1) US Attorney for Northern Virginia and (2) an Assistant Director, FBI. The key is the Title 18 USC citation delineated in Al Norris’ post; that makes firearms possession on virtually any -- including US Post Office -- Federal property a criminal violation. The Subsection D “lawful purposes” exception, I am told, does NOT apply to normal CCW, since it is intended for law enforcement (etc.). I have further been advised that arrests will be made, at least in the suburban DC area.

Regards.

[DragonRider]

Dam, a range 2 blocks down the street when I worked at the Natural History muesuem....:cuss:

John

[Mike Irwin]

It's NOT for the general public, Dragon. Since recent Federal "Green" initiatitives, it may no longer be in service.