Introduction of the Postal Police Authority Clarifying Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Postal Police Authority Clarifying Act, which would clarify that United States Postal Police Officers (PPOs) have authority to protect mail, postal property and postal employees both on and off United States Postal Service (USPS) real property. PPOs had been performing their duties both on and off USPS real property, but USPS has recently informed them that their statutory police powers are limited to USPS real property.

Under federal law, Postal Inspectors are authorized ``to investigate criminal matters related to the Postal Service and the mails . . .,'' while PPOs are authorized to protect the ``property owned or occupied by the Postal Service or under the charge and control of the Postal Service, and persons on that property, including duty in areas outside the property to the extent necessary to protect the property and persons on the property.'' USPS has recently informed PPOs that property consists only of USPS real property, so PPO police powers are limited to USPS real property. This narrow interpretation of the statute severely limits the ability of PPOs to protect mail and postal staff.

There has been an increase in mail theft nationally, including through the theft of stolen universal keys, formally referred to as ``arrow keys.'' A constituent recently contacted my office after checks they put in a blue collection box were stolen. Thieves changed the payees and dollar amounts on the checks, and tens of thousands of dollars were stolen from my constituent's account. This is just one example of the increased mail theft occurring now, and is ample evidence of the need for legislation to clarify the authority of PPOs to fully protect mail and postal employees.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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