United States Postal Inspectors

Answer 1

Postal inspectors are the U.S. Post Office's own armed police force. The Postal Inspection Service, the eldest of federal law enforcement services, supports, protects and defends the integrity of the U.S. postal system and its customers and employees. Postal inspectors prevent illegal or dangerous use of the mails. When criminals use the postal system to defraud, threaten or endanger American citizens, postal inspectors investigate, arrest, detain and convict them.

Successful candidates for the position of postal inspector receive thorough training for 12 weeks at the Post Office's Strategic Learning Services in Maryland. These professionals undertake investigations and provide the security functions necessary to keep the mails running smoothly. Postal inspectors are expected to perform basic law enforcement activities including carrying firearms, making arrests, providing testimony, preparing reports, serving subpoenas and pursuing and restraining suspects. They must be physically fit and under the age of 37 to serve. Candidates for the position will need to complete the entire recruitment process to be successful.

Eligibility requirements for postal inspectors include American citizenship, being between the ages of 21 and 37, have a four year degree from an accredited college, have no felony convictions, write and speak English competently and must be willing to relocate. Many postal inspectors work long hours, especially in complex investigations. Criminal, administrative and civil violations of postal laws are the jurisdiction of the Postal Inspection Service. Specialized forensic techniques and cutting-edge technologies are often used in postal cases.

Countering and preventing mail fraud, mail theft, post office robberies and child pornography through the mails are all aspects of a postal inspector's job, as is recovering missing postal transport equipment. These officers also screen mail considered potentially dangerous in order to protect the postal system, its employees, customers and infrastructure. Postal inspectors investigate people who use the mails in extortion or fraud schemes. At high profile events such as the Superbowl or the Olympics, postal inspectors provide special mail screening to prevent acts of terror.

New postal inspectors' salaries correspond to the GS9 to GS12 level, depending on their qualifications. The pay ranges from approximately $40,000 to $73,000. The average salary for postal inspectors is $63,000. Postal inspectors also receive locality pay and law enforcement availability pay. Locality pay ranges from 13% to 34% of the base salary depending on the area of the country.