Statistical Charts
Table: FY 2001 Imperatives, Operational Goals, Objectives, Targets and Results
Imperative: Safety
Operational Goal: Ensure a safe, secure and drug-free work environment
Objective: Reduce and deter employee-on-employee assaults and credible threats
Target: Not to exceed 500 employee-on-employee assaults and credible threats, Result: 360
Objective: Reduce and deter robberies of postal employees and facilities
Target: Not to exceed 60 facility robberies, Result: 44
Target: Achieve a facility robbery solution rate of 55%, Result: 73.7%
Target: Not to exceed 45 non-facility robberies, Result: 45
Target: Achieve a non-facility robbery solution rate of 55%, Result: 53.6%
Objective: Reduce and deter illegal drugs in the postal environment
Target: Implement strategies at a minimum of 18 identified facilities, Result: 18
Imperative: Security
Operational Goal: Reduce the theft of mail
Objective: Reduce and deter volume mail theft in high-theft areas
Target: Texas (Southwest and Gulf Coast Divisions) 291, Result: 375
Target: Arizona (Rocky Mountain Division) 1,168, Result: 3,211
Target: California (Northern and Southern Divisions) 736, Result: 1,521
Objective: Identify and resolve domestic and international in-transit mail theft
Target: Resolve 15 major domestic and international airport mail theft problems, Result: 29
Operational Goal: Reduce and deter criminal attacks of postal products, services and assets
Objective: Reduce and deter embezzlements
Target: Resolve 810 financial embezzlement schemes through criminal or administrative actions, with 120 from SIA offices, Result: 801 108 (SIA)
Objective: Reduce and deter criminal misuse of the Postal Service's workers' compensation program
Target: 365 fraudulent workers' compensation schemes resolved through criminal or administrative actions, Result: 403
Objective: Reduce and deter postage fraud schemes
Target: 36 successful criminal or civil actions in high-risk areas, Result: 32
Imperative: Integrity
Operational Goal: Reduce the use of the mail to defraud consumers, businesses and government agencies
Objective: Reduce and deter multi-state domestic and international telemarketing and deceptive mail operations
Target: 15 multi-state domestic and/or international telemarketing promotions disrupted, Result: 28
Target: 10 deceptive mailing promotions disrupted, Result: 57
Operational Goal: Reduce and deter the use of the postal system for prohibited, illegal and dangerous mailings
Objective: Eliminate the use of the nation's mail system by major organizations to transport illegal narcotics
Target: 4 national interdictions, Result: 4 national (plus 80 local) 110
Target: 10 organized groups identified and disrupted, Result: 4 national (plus 80 local) 110
Objective: Reduce and deter the use of postal money orders to launder money by disrupting money-laundering operations
Target: 10 operations disrupted, Result: 22
Objective: Reduce and deter the use of the postal system for the procurement or delivery of material that promotes the sexual exploitation of children
Target: 270 offenders identified and prosecuted, Result: 329
Table: FY 2002 Operational Goals and Objectives
Safety
Goal 1: Ensure a safe, secure and drug-free work environment
Objective 1A: Reduce and deter employee-on-employee assaults and credible threats
Objective 1B: Deter robberies of postal employees and facilities
Objective 1C: Reduce and deter illegal drugs in the postal environment
Security
Goal 2: Reduce mail theft
Objective 2A: Reduce and deter attacks on postal vehicles, apartment panels, collection boxes, NDCBUs and CBUs in Arizona and California
Objective 2B: Identify and resolve domestic and international in-transit mail theft
Objective 2C: Reduce and deter mail theft-related identity theft and identity takeover crimes
Goal 3: Reduce and deter criminal attacks of postal products, services and assets
Objective 3A: Reduce and deter embezzlements
Objective 3B: Reduce and deter criminal misuse of the Postal Service's workers' compensation program and reduce long-term compensation costs
Objective 3C: Reduce and deter postage fraud schemes
Objective 3D: Assure the sanctity and security of the U.S. Mail
Integrity
Goal 4: Reduce the use of the mail to defraud consumers, businesses and government agencies
Objective 4A: Reduce and deter multi-state domestic and international telemarketing and deceptive mailing operations
Objective 4B: Reduce and deter deceptive mailing operations
Goal 5: Reduce and prevent the use of the postal system for prohibited, illegal and dangerous mailings
Objective 5A: Reduce and deter the use of the nation's mail system by organized groups to transport illegal narcotics
Objective 5B: Reduce and deter the use of U.S. postal money orders to launder money by disrupting money-laundering operations
Objective 5C: Reduce and deter the use of the U.S. Mail for the procurement or delivery of material that promotes the sexual exploitation of children
Table: U.S. Postal Inspection Service Criminal Statistics for FY 2001
Type of Investigation: Mail Theft (includes theft and possession of stolen mail)
Arrests: 6,364
Convictions*: 5,384
Type of Investigation: Miscellaneous External Crimes (includes counterfeit and contraband postage, money order offenses, vandalism and arson)
Arrests: 573
Convictions*: 554
Type of Investigation: Miscellaneous Employee Crimes (includes theft of postal property and sabotage of equipment)
Arrests: 66
Convictions*: 52
Type of Investigation: Bombs, Threats, Hoaxes and Explosive Devices
Arrests: 53
Convictions*: 35
Type of Investigation: Prohibited Mailings (includes hazardous material, firearms and weapons, intoxicants, explosives other than bombs, extortion and false documents)
Arrests: 72
Convictions*: 63
Type of Investigation: Assaults and Threats (includes threats and assaults against on-duty postal employees)
Arrests: 378
Convictions*: 290
Type of Investigation: Robberies
Arrests: 74
Convictions*: 71
Type of Investigation: Burglaries
Arrests: 163
Convictions*: 156
Type of Investigation: Mailing of Controlled Substances (includes narcotics, steroids, drug-related proceeds and drug paraphernalia)
Arrests: 1,662
Convictions*: 1,139
Type of Investigation: Employee Narcotics Cases (includes employees and non-employees selling narcotics on postal property)
Arrests: 43
Convictions*: 33
Type of Investigation: Mail Fraud
Arrests: 1,691
Convictions*: 1,477
Type of Investigation: Child Exploitation, Mailing of Obscene Matter and Sexually Oriented Advertisements
Arrests: 335
Convictions*: 259
Type of Investigation: Financial Investigations
Arrests: 281
Convictions*: 281
Type of Investigation: Workers' Compensation Fraud
Arrests: 40
Convictions*: 34
Type of Investigation: Revenue Investigations
Arrests: 78
Convictions*: 86
Total Arrests: 11,873
Total Convictions*: 9,914
*Convictions may be related to cases from prior fiscal years.
Table: Postal Inspection Service Jurisdiction and Laws
Postal Inspectors enforce over 200 federal laws in investigations of crimes that may adversely affect or fraudulently use the U.S. Mail, the postal system or postal employees. The list below describes some of our most important areas of jurisdiction.
Assaults (18 USC 111 & 1114)
The protection of Postal Service employees is one of our most important responsibilities. Inspectors promptly investigate assaults and threats that occur while postal employees are performing official duties or as a result of their employment.
Bombs (18 USC 1716)
Although a rare crime, the mailing of bombs is given one of our highest investigative priorities due to the severe impact it can have on postal customers, employees and operations.
Burglary (18 USC 2115)
The Postal Service has experienced about 300 burglaries each year. Inspectors have minimized losses through the use of security equipment and facility design.
Child Exploitation (18 USC 1470, 2251, 2252, 2253, 2254, 2422, 2425)
The Postal Inspection Service has long been recognized as the leading federal law enforcement agency in the effort to combat the production and distribution of child pornography and other crimes exploiting children through the mail and, when it involves the mail, over the Internet.
Controlled Substances (21 USC 841, 843 & 844)
Postal Inspectors initiate investigations related to transporting and distributing narcotics through the mail or at postal facilities.
Electronic Crimes (18 USC 1029, 1030, 1343 & 2701)
Inspectors protect postal customers from fraud schemes and other crimes that may occur online and involve the misuse of the mail or of the Postal Service. This includes using or selling stolen or counterfeit access devices, such as credit card numbers; using protected computers without proper authority or exceeding authorized access; using computer communications in a scheme to defraud; and unauthorized access to communications that are stored electronically via a communications service.
Embezzlement (18 USC 1711)
Postal Inspectors investigate employees and contractors suspected of embezzling postal funds and review the Postal Service's internal financial controls to protect postal revenue and assets from internal theft or misuse.
Forfeiture (18 USC 981 and 982)
Postal Inspectors use criminal and civil forfeiture statutes, when appropriate, to seize assets associated with criminal acts.
Identity Fraud (18 USC 1028)
The Postal Inspection Service is a leading federal law enforcement agency in the investigation of identity takeovers, a crime that often begins with the theft of mail or use of the mail to defraud individuals or financial institutions.
Mail Fraud (18 USC 1341, 1342 & 1345; 39 USC 3005 & 3007)
The Postal Inspection Service is committed to protecting postal customers from misuse of the mail. Inspectors place special emphasis on mail fraud scams related to advance fees, boiler rooms, health care, insurance, investments and other consumer frauds, especially when they target the elderly or other susceptible groups.
Money Laundering (18 USC 1956 & 1957)
Postal Inspectors aggressively investigate criminals who attempt to conceal the proceeds of illegal acts through monetary transactions. Inspectors identify and seize criminals' assets, denying violators the proceeds of their crimes.
Money Order Crimes (18 USC 500)
Postal Inspectors investigate the counterfeiting, altering and forging of postal money orders.
Robbery (18 USC 2114)
Postal Inspectors respond promptly to robberies of postal employees and postal contractors. Inspectors focus on preventing robberies through the use of security equipment and improved postal procedures.
Theft of Mail (18 USC 1708 & 1709)
Postal Inspectors invest significant resources into the investigation of mail theft by criminals, postal contractors and employees.
Workers' Compensation Fraud (18 USC 1920)
The Postal Inspection Service places a high priority on investigations of workers' compensation fraud due to the high costs of the program: The Postal Service incurs about 25 percent of the entire federal government cost of workers' compensation.
For assistance with postal-related problems of a law enforcement nature, contact your nearest Inspection Service division.
Florida Division
3400 Lakeside Dr, 6th Fl
Miramar FL 33027-3242
954-436-7200
Gulf Coast Division
PO Box 1276
Houston TX 77251-1276
713-238-4400
Michiana Division
PO Box 330119
Detroit MI 48232-6119
313-226-8184
Mid-Atlantic Division
PO Box 3000
Charlotte NC 28228-3000
704-329-9120
Midwest Division
1106 Walnut St
St Louis MO 63199-2201
314-539-9300
New York Metro Division
PO Box 555
New York NY 10116-0555
212-330-3844
Northeast Division
425 Summer St, 7th Fl
Boston MA 02210-1736
617-464-8000
Northern California Division
PO Box 882528
San Francisco CA 94188-2528
415-778-5800
Northern Illinois Division
433 W Harrison St, Rm 50190
Chicago IL 60669-2201
312-983-7900
North Jersey/Caribbean Division
PO Box 509
Newark NJ 07101-0509
973-693-5400
Northwest Division
PO Box 400
Seattle WA 98111-4000
206-442-6300
Philadelphia Metro Division
PO Box 7500
Philadelphia PA 19101-9000
215-895-8450
Rocky Mountain Division
1745 Stout St, Ste 900
Denver CO 80202-3034
303-313-5320
Southeast Division
PO Box 16489
Atlanta GA 30321-0489
404-608-4500
Southern California Division
PO Box 2000
Pasadena CA 91102-2000
626-405-1200
Southwest Division
PO Box 162929
Ft Worth TX 76161-2929
817-317-3400
Washington Metro Division
PO Box 96096
Washington DC 20066-6096
202-636-2300
Western Allegheny Division
1001 California Ave
Pittsburgh PA 15290-9000
412-359-7900
In the Nation's Service: A Chronology of the United States Postal Inspection Service
1737
Postmaster Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia given the task of "regulating the several post offices and bringing the postmasters to account."
1772
Under the colonial postal system, Postmaster General Benjamin Franklin creates the position of "Surveyor" because he could no longer single-handedly regulate and audit post offices.
1776
Surveyors establish and keep open lines of communication necessary to conduct the Revolutionary War. William Goddard named the first Surveyor of the new American Postal Service.
1792
Congress imposes the death penalty for stealing mail.
1801
Title of Surveyor changed to "Special Agent."
1812
Special Agents observe and report the movements of the British fleet in the Potomac River during the War of 1812.
1828
Noah Webster, who was one of the first Surveyors, publishes his dictionary.
1829
Preston S. Loughborough is appointed as the first Chief Postal Inspector.
1830
Office of Instructions and Mail Depredations is established as the investigative branch of the Post Office Department.
1853
The number of Special Agents grows to 18. Assigned to specific territories, their duties include reporting on the conditions of stagecoaches, steamboats, railroads and horses used to transport mail; visiting mail distributing offices; and examining postal accounts.
1861
Special Agents establish and maintain military post offices and routes during the Civil War.
1872
Congress enacts the Mail Fraud Statute to combat a post-Civil War outbreak of swindles using the mail.
1873
The Postal Obscenity Statute is enacted by Congress, based on the urging of Special Agent Anthony Comstock.
1880
Special Agents become known as "Post Office Inspectors" by Act of Congress.
1881
Post Office Inspectors interview Billy the Kid in connection with a mail robbery in Santa Fe, NM.
1908
In Clinton, MS, Inspector Charles Fitzgerald is the first Post Office Inspector killed in the line of duty.
1916
The last known stagecoach robbery in the United States is solved by Post Office Inspectors, who apprehend the bandits within five days of the crime.
1925
Inspectors armed with Tommy guns quell heavy outbreak of train robberies and post office holdups.
1926
Post Office Inspectors successfully conclude a 31/2-year, worldwide manhunt for three train bandits known as the D'Autremont brothers. The brothers killed four men and blew up a mail car, which they thought was carrying half a million dollars in gold.
1934
When the nation's $15.5 billion gold reserve is transferred from New York to Fort Knox, Post Office Inspectors plan the movement and protection of the bullion, which was sent by registered mail. The transfer required 500 rail cars, took several years and was completed without a mishap.
1940
The first of five Postal Inspection Service forensic laboratories is established.
1941
Post Office Inspectors organized the mail system for the military during World War II. The system is so efficient that even front-line troops expect mail delivery as normal procedure.
1947
Jesse M. Donaldson, the Chief Postal Inspector, is appointed Postmaster General.
1954
Inspectors are renamed "Postal Inspectors" to reflect their relationship to all phases of postal services and the U.S. Mail, instead of only to post offices.
1958
Owners of the Hope Diamond send the priceless jewel to the Smithsonian Institution by U.S. Mail. Postal Inspectors ensured that the gem arrived safely at its destination.
1970-1971
With the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 (effective 1971), the Bureau of the Chief Postal Inspector becomes the "United States Postal Inspection Service." A uniformed security force is added to assist in carrying out the Inspection Service's mission.
1971
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service becomes one of the first federal law enforcement agencies to hire female agents.
1972
Postal Inspectors and Postal Inspection Service forensic scientists prove that a handwritten note giving Clifford Irving exclusive rights to write Howard Hughes' biography was a fraud.
1984
The passage of the Child Protection Act gives Postal Inspectors additional powers to focus on the peddlers of child pornography.
1987
Investigations by Postal Inspectors reveal widespread white-collar crime on Wall Street, including insider trading and a massive check-kiting scheme.
1989
Postal Inspectors arrest televangelist Jim Bakker, co-founder of the Praise the Lord (PTL) Club. Inspectors proved Bakker committed mail fraud after he scammed believers by using $178 million of their mailed-in money for personal gain. He is sentenced to 45 years in prison.
1991
The Postal Inspection Service breaks up a worldwide art-fraud ring that marketed bogus paintings purported to be by such renowned artists as Salvador Dali, Joan Miro and Pablo Picasso.
1998
Postal Inspectors play an integral role on a multi-agency task force that arrests the Unabomber, marking the end of one of the largest and most extensive criminal manhunts in modern history.
2000
"Know Fraud" is launched, the largest consumer protection effort ever undertaken, with postcards sent to 123 million addresses across America, arming consumers with common-sense tips and guidelines to prevent telemarketing and mail fraud.
2001
"Operation Avalanche," a coordinated strike by the Postal Inspection Service and 30 other federally funded task forces, results in the arrest of 100 subscribers to child pornography Web sites on the Internet.
Quote: The U.S. Postal Service delivers 680 million items—including money, messages and merchandise—to 145 million addresses each day at some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. U.S. Postal Inspectors are mandated to safeguard all of it—including the people who move it and the customers who use it—and it’s all included in the price of a stamp.
Quote: The mission of the United States Postal Inspection Service is to protect the U.S. Postal Service,
its employees and its customers from criminal attack, and protect the nation’s mail system from criminal misuse.
Published in November 2001
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
475 L’Enfant Plaza SW
Washington, DC 20260-2175
Kenneth C. Weaver
Chief Postal Inspector
Daniel L. Mihalko
Inspector in Charge
Congressional & Public Affairs
Debbi Baer, Editor
Congressional & Public Affairs
Martin Communications, Inc.
Design
For more information on the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, go to our Web site at: www.usps.com/postalinspectors