The US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) is an essential law enforcement agency within the United States Postal Service (USPS) that specializes in investigating crimes and protecting the integrity of the nation's mail system. Established in 1772, it is known as the oldest federal law enforcement agency in the United States.
The primary mission of the US Postal Inspection Service is to safeguard the postal system from criminal activities that can potentially jeopardize public trust and disrupt communication networks. This involves preventing and detecting crimes such as mail fraud, identity theft, theft of postal valuables, narcotics trafficking through the mail, and cybercrime related to the USPS.
To accomplish its objectives, the USPIS boasts a dedicated force of highly trained postal inspectors and other professionals who work diligently to enforce more than 200 federal laws covering mail-related crimes. They employ investigative techniques, including surveillance, forensic analysis, data analysis, and research, to identify, apprehend, and bring to justice individuals and groups involved in postal crimes.
Besides its primary law enforcement role, the US Postal Inspection Service also plays a crucial role in educating the public about mail-related threats and empowering them to protect themselves from potential scams or deceptive practices. The USPIS collaborates with other federal, state, local, and international law enforcement agencies as well as postal partners to promote a safe and secure mail system across the nation. Overall, the US Postal Inspection Service is instrumental in preserving the integrity and public trust in the postal system while upholding the USPS's fundamental principles of service, reliability, and security.
