| United States Postal Inspection Service | |
|---|---|
 Logo | |
| Common name | Postal Inspection Service |
| Abbreviation | USPIS |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1775 (Surveyors) 1801 (Special Agents) 1830 (Agency) 1880 (Post Office Inspectors) 1954 (Postal Inspectors) |
| Employees | 2500 (approximately) |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Federal agency | United States |
| Operations jurisdiction | United States |
| General nature | |
| Specialist jurisdiction |
|
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, D.C. |
| Postal Inspectors | 1200 (approximately) |
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent agency | United States Postal Service |
| Website | |
| uspis.gov | |
The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), or the Postal Inspectors, is the federal law enforcement arm of the United States Postal Service. It supports and protects the U.S. Postal Service, its employees, infrastructure, and customers by enforcing the laws that defend the United States' mail system from illegal or dangerous use. Its jurisdiction covers any crimes that may adversely affect or fraudulently use the U.S. Mail, the postal system, or postal employees. With roots going back to the late 18th century, the USPIS is the country's oldest continuously operating federal law enforcement agency.[1]
There are approximately 200 federal crimes that can be committed which involve the mail. Therefore, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's activities are broad and ever-changing.[2] In 2021, postal inspectors made 5,141 arrests leading to more than 3,700 convictions, mostly involving mail theft, mail fraud, and prohibited mailings.[3] The growth in illegal narcotics has resulted in over 19,000 arrests and the seizure of $18 million in drug proceeds since 2010. In 2022, Postal inspectors performed over 5,300 seizures that resulted in almost 17,000 pounds of illicit drugs being taken off the streets.[4]
As of 2022, there are approximately 1,250 postal inspectors, who are authorized to carry weapons, make arrests, execute federal search warrants, and serve subpoenas.[3]
- ^ "History – United States Postal Inspection Service". www.uspis.gov. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
- ^ Horton, Alex. "The surprising mission of the Postal Service police who arrested Stephen Bannon". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 21, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
- ^ a b "UNITED STATES POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE ANNUAL REPORT 2022" (PDF). uspis.gov. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
- ^ "US Postal Inspection Service on Instagram: "#USPIS News: In Fiscal Year 2022, we seized more than 7700 pounds of meth, 5900 pounds of cocaine, 3200 pounds of synthetic opioids, and over 150 pounds of heroin. Thank you to the brave men & women who performed these seizures. #CombatDrugs #WeAreNotDone"". Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2022.