Postal Facts - U.S. Postal Service
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.
Operation
Protect Veterans
Postal Inspectors in partnership with AARP promoted "Operation Protect Veterans" to raise awareness about scams that are targeted toward military veterans.
1971
first female agents hired
In 1971 the Postal Inspection Service became one of the first federal law enforcement organizations to hire female agents.
26,000
mailpieces screened
During 2019, there were 14 national mail screening events, including the Super Bowl. More than 26,000 mailpieces and private courier deliveries were screened at the events, heightening safety and security for all.
Postal Inspectors educate the American public about scams and how to avoid them. A weekly TV series, The Inspectors, is based on real-life cases. This innovative program reaches 1 million viewers weekly.
125,000
physical evidence items
Forensic scientists and specialists examined 125,000 physical evidence items at the Postal Inspection Service's state-of-the-art National Forensic Laboratory, leading to 999 suspects identified.
Postal Inspectors conducted 11 investigations of the use of mail to exploit children and made 9 arrests.
Postal Inspectors investigated 576 reported threats and assaults against postal employees during 2019. They made 247 arrests that resulted in 154 convictions.
The Postal Inspection Service seized 2,252 assets worth $143 million, with 63 percent of seizures from illegal narcotics and related proceeds. It made 2,562 arrests for illegal-narcotics related cases.
3,289
suspicious mail incidents
Postal Inspectors responded to and investigated 3,289 suspicious mail incidents in 2019.
$1,700,000
equipment recovered
Postal Inspectors in 2019 recovered misappropriated or stolen mail transport equipment worth $1,700,000.
200
federal laws enforced
Security. 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.
In 2019 Postal Inspectors reported 5,759 arrests and 4,995 convictions related to postal crimes, primarily those involving mail theft, mail fraud and prohibited mailings.
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®, Forever®, Global Express Guaranteed®, IMb®, Informed Delivery®, Intelligent Mail®, Parcel Select®, P.O. Box™, Post Office®, Pony Express®, Postal Inspection Service™, PostalOne!®, Postal Police®, PostalProud®, 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®, ZIP+4® and ZIP Code™. This is not a comprehensive list of all Postal Service trademarks.
Non-Postal Trademarks
Forest Stewardship Council®, McDonald’s®, National Dog Bite Prevention Week®, Starbucks®, Sustainable Forestry Initiative®, Walmart®
Postal Facts 2020 provides the public with information about the Postal Service. The facts in this publication may be reproduced for the purpose of stating the fact itself, and in a business, informational, 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.
Visit about.usps.com for more information.
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