We protect you and your mail.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is the federal law enforcement, crime prevention, and security arm of the U.S. Postal Service. Founded by Benjamin Franklin and established on August 7, 1775, the Inspection Service is one of the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agencies.
INSPECTION SERVICE
Enforcing the law. Established Aug. 7, 1775. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service enforces federal laws, prevents crimes and keeps customers, employees and the mail safe.
It’s one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in the nation. Postal Inspectors remain on the heels of the criminals — targeting theft, disrupting drug traffickers, warning about fraud scams and more.
The Inspection Service does this with approximately 2,400 employees — including nearly 1,300 Postal Inspectors, roughly 500 uniformed Postal Police Officers and 600 professional, technical and administrative support personnel — all working to ensure America’s confidence in the U.S. Mail.
African American Inspector
The first known African American postal inspector was Isaac Myers, Baltimore, MD, 1870.
Isaac Myers served from 1870 until 1879. During his employment he helped solve a number of notorious cases.
Justice to Opioid Dealers
The Inspection Service is committed to using the most advanced technology to stop fentanyl traffickers.
Delivering Justice to Opioid Dealers
Postal Inspectors use data, forensics and citizens’ tips to protect Americans and apprehend opioid dealers who send illegal drugs through the mail.
Since fall 2019, the Inspection Service has noted there have been no fentanyl seizures directly from China. Furthermore, since 2020, a vast majority of synthetic opioids and methamphetamine seizures originated along the U.S. Southwest border. In 2022, Postal Inspectors conducted phase two of its Southwest Border Initiative, resulting in the seizure of 170 pounds of methamphetamine, 136 pounds of fentanyl, 56 pounds of cocaine, 4.1 pounds of PCP, 19 pounds of amphetamine and more than $465,000 in illicit proceeds.
arrests
In 2022, the Inspection Service reported 2,110 arrests pertaining to illegal narcotics-related cases.
Keeping America’s postal system secure — 2022 stats
Protect Veterans
Postal Inspectors, in partnership with AARP, promoted Operation Protect Veterans to raise awareness of scams that target military veterans. In 2020, a Postal Inspector testified before the Senate Special Committee about Operation Protect Veterans. Also, the Inspection Service launched a special web page dedicated to Operation Protect Veterans at https://www.uspis.gov/veterans.
assets seized
The Inspection Service seized 1,566 assets worth $402 million.
Postal Inspectors, 1971
In 1971, the Postal Inspection Service became one of the first federal law enforcement organizations to hire female agents.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service enforces federal laws, prevents crimes and keeps customers, employees and the mail safe. It’s one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in the nation. These days our Inspectors remain on the heels of the criminals — targeting theft, disrupting drug traffickers, warning about fraud scams and more.
The Inspection Service does this with approximately 2,400 employees, including nearly 1,300 Postal Inspectors, roughly 500 uniformed Postal Police Officers and 600 professional, technical and administrative support personnel ensuring America’s confidence in the U.S. Mail.
items examined
In 2022, forensic scientists and specialists at the Postal Inspection Service's state-of-the-art National Forensic Laboratory examined more than 900,000 physical evidence items. 1,780 suspects were identified.
winning TV show
The Inspection Service uses various media platforms to educate the American public about scams and how to avoid them. A weekly TV series, The Inspectors, was based on real-life Postal Inspection Service cases. 104 episodes of the Emmy Award-winning scripted drama ran for four seasons on network television, reaching more than 200 million viewers.
for consumers
National Consumer Protection Week. During the Federal Trade Commission’s annual awareness campaign, the Postal Service and U.S. Postal Inspection Service provide customers with education, tools and information to combat identity theft and mail fraud. More information can be found at consumer.ftc.gov/features/national-consumer-protection-week.
and Security of the US Mail
The Postal Inspection Service works aggressively and takes all practicable measures to ensure the sanctity and security of the U.S. Mail.
suspicious mail incidents
Postal Inspectors responded to and investigated 1,804 suspicious mail incidents in 2022.
equipment recovered
Postal Inspectors in 2022 recovered misappropriated or stolen mail transport equipment worth more than $1 million.
secure
We're secure. U.S. Mail is protected by more than 200 federal laws enforced by the Postal Inspection Service, one of the nation's oldest law enforcement agencies.
arrests
In 2022 Postal Inspectors reported 4,291 arrests and 3,947 convictions related to postal crimes, primarily those involving mail theft, mail fraud and prohibited mailings.
Trademarks
Trademarks
The Eagle Logo, the trade dress of USPS packaging, the Letter Carrier Uniform and the Postal Truck and the following marks are among the many trademarks owned by the United States Postal Service: Click-N-Ship®, Deliver The Win®, EDDM®, ePostage®, Every Door Direct Mail®, Express Mail®, First-Class™, First-Class Mail®, First-Class Package International Service®, Forever®, Global Express Guaranteed®, IMb®, Informed Delivery®, Intelligent Mail®, Label Broker™, Parcel Select®, P.O. Box™, Post Office®, Pony Express®, Postal Inspection Service™, PostalOne!®, Postal Police®, #PostalProud®, Priority Mail Express International®, Priority Mail Flat Rate®, Priority Mail International®, Priority: You®, Registered Mail™, Standard Mail®, The Postal Store®, United States Postal Inspection Service®, United States Postal Service®, U.S. Mail®, U.S. Postal Inspector™, U.S. Postal Service®, USPS®, USPS BlueEarth®, USPS Mobile®, USPS Operation Santa®, USPS Tracking®, usps.com®, We are people delivering to people™, ZIP+4® and ZIP Code™. This is not a comprehensive list of all Postal Service trademarks.
Non-Postal Trademarks
Dollar General®, Forest Stewardship Council®, How2Recycle®, McDonald’s®, National Dog Bite Prevention Week®, Starbucks®, Subway®, Sustainable Forestry Initiative®, The Climate Registry®, Vans®.
Postal Facts 2023 provides the public with information about the U.S. Postal Service. The facts in this publication may be reproduced for the purpose of stating the fact itself, in a business, informational or academic context and the like, and in the body of text discussing factual subject matter relevant to the fact being presented. However, these facts may become outdated after publication and seeking the latest information is advised.
Produced by U.S. Postal Service Corporate Communications
© 2023 United States Postal Service. All rights reserved.
© 2016-2023 United States Postal Service. All rights reserved.
Trademarks
Trademarks
The Eagle Logo, the trade dress of USPS packaging, the Letter Carrier Uniform and the Postal Truck and the following marks are among the many trademarks owned by the United States Postal Service: Click-N-Ship®, Deliver The Win®, EDDM®, ePostage®, Every Door Direct Mail®, Express Mail®, First-Class™, First-Class Mail®, First-Class Package International Service®, Forever®, Global Express Guaranteed®, IMb®, Informed Delivery®, Intelligent Mail®, Label Broker™, Parcel Select®, P.O. Box™, Post Office®, Pony Express®, Postal Inspection Service™, PostalOne!®, Postal Police®, #PostalProud®, Priority Mail Express International®, Priority Mail Flat Rate®, Priority Mail International®, Priority: You®, Registered Mail™, Standard Mail®, The Postal Store®, United States Postal Inspection Service®, United States Postal Service®, U.S. Mail®, U.S. Postal Inspector™, U.S. Postal Service®, USPS®, USPS BlueEarth®, USPS Mobile®, USPS Operation Santa®, USPS Tracking®, usps.com®, We are people delivering to people™, ZIP+4® and ZIP Code™. This is not a comprehensive list of all Postal Service trademarks.
Non-Postal Trademarks
Dollar General®, Forest Stewardship Council®, How2Recycle®, McDonald’s®, National Dog Bite Prevention Week®, Starbucks®, Subway®, Sustainable Forestry Initiative®, The Climate Registry®, Vans®.
Postal Facts 2023 provides the public with information about the U.S. Postal Service. The facts in this publication may be reproduced for the purpose of stating the fact itself, in a business, informational or academic context and the like, and in the body of text discussing factual subject matter relevant to the fact being presented. However, these facts may become outdated after publication and seeking the latest information is advised.
Produced by U.S. Postal Service Corporate Communications
© 2023 United States Postal Service. All rights reserved.
© 2016-2023 United States Postal Service. All rights reserved.
