News 12 – 8/31/23 – Federal efforts are underway to put more Postal Police officers back on the street.

Congressman Garbarino (R-NY) introduced the Postal Police Reform Act in October 2021 – press release is below.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY) recently introduced. 5587, The Postal Police Reform Act. The bill would reverse a 2020 directive from the Chief Postal Inspector that shackled Postal Police Officers to physical postal locations and prevented officers from fully executing their duty to ensure public safety within the nation’s mail system. Congressman Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) joined Rep. Garbarino as an original cosponsor of the legislation.

“Postal Police Officers serve a critical public safety role, but they have been kneecapped by a senseless directive, “said Rep. Garbarino. “Since Postal Police have been confined to postal property, there has been a spike in mail theft and violence, including rising attacks against mail carriers. Postal Police must be given the freedom to combat crime within the mail system for the good of public safety. This bill will enhance public safety by removing current restrictions and empowering postal police to do their jobs.”

“Under Louis DeJoy’s catastrophic tenure, the Post Office has been plunged into existential danger, “said Rep. Pascrell. “Now, Postal Police Officers are being blocked from protecting postal employees and property, leading to a spike in theft of property and assaults against letter carriers. This is an absolute disgrace. Our commonsense, bipartisan legislation would let brave Postal Police do their jobs without interference. I thank Rep. Garbarino for his leadership in securing our Postal Service.” [PEN Note: the USPS Inspection Service ended this practice]

“For decades Postal Police Officers have played a vital public service, protecting postal employees, safeguarding postal assets, and combatting mail theft, “said Frank Albergo, National President of the Postal Police Officers Association. “Now, with rising incidents of violent attacks against postal employees and mail theft increasing at a staggering rate, Postal Police Officers are needed more than ever. H.R. 5587 will fix the current ambiguity in federal law and allow Postal Police Officers to return to street duty so that they can once again work to stem the tide of this criminal activity. Postal Police Officers look forward to again protecting postal employees and safeguarding the mail, no matter the location. The Postal Police Officers Association thanks Congressmen Andrew Garbarino and Bill Pascrell for their unwavering support of law enforcement and their leadership in introducing this critical bi-partisan legislation during Police Week.”

The text of the bill can be found here.