U.S.
Postal Inspection Service
Responsible for integrity of the Postal System
About USPIS
USPIS Overview
USPIS has unmatched capabilities concerning crimes involving the mail system. Although relatively small in size (Approx 1,300 investigators), they are a proud & well known agency among law enforcement circles. Mail theft; robberies; assaults; mail fraud; & drug trafficking are a typical day for USPIS.
Straight Talk USPIS
BASIC USPIS Requirements
You may be eligible to apply to become a Postal Inspector if you:
- Are an U.S. Citizen between 21 and less than 37 years of age at the time of appointment (age exception for preference eligible veterans).
- Currently hold a four-year degree from an accredited college or university.
- Have no felony or domestic violence convictions.
- Are in good physical condition.
- Write and speak English clearly.
- Have a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record.
- Are willing to relocate.
USPIS Student Opportunities
USPIS maintains an unpaid College Internship Program that is available to students.
USPIS Hiring Process
Online Application & Qualifications Review
Online Exam-Multiple Choice
Comprehensive Application Packet & Questionnaire
Administered Exam
Polygraph
Interview
Conditional Offer
Background Investigation
Medical & Drug Test
Final Offer
Postal Inspectors Academy Training
USPIS runs its own in-house academy at Potomac, MD; where all trainees must complete Basic Inspector Training (16-week, residential program).
All Postal Inspector candidates must graduate from the 16-week residential program which covers firearms, academics, defensive tactics, physical fitness, and practical exercises. After graduation, newly appointed Postal Inspectors report to their assigned duty locations.
Candidates must complete rigorous courses in investigative techniques and USPS policies. This training is completed by passing three exams during the course of study. Postal Inspectors must be prepared to protect themselves and others. This includes training to handle a handgun and a shotgun safely and proficiently. Physical fitness is a key part of basic training. Candidates must develop a physical fitness regimen and the ability to use a level of force appropriate to the threat. Practical exercises give candidates the opportunity to perform the lessons learned during classroom activities and defensive tactics in a real-life simulation.
US Postal Inspectors Salary Progression
Newly minted US Postal Inspectors must complete a 24-month probationary period. Postal Inspectors are paid on the Inspection Service Law Enforcement (ISLE) Scale, which is comparable to the GS Scale. USPIS Postal Inspectors currently do NOT receive LEAP at the academy. Postal Inspectors can start off at Grade 10 and subsequently reach Journeyman Grade 13 after a four year term of satisfactory employment.
US Postal Inspectors Internship Program
The Postal Inspection Service has an unpaid internship program for college students in their junior and senior years as well as graduate students. The program offers students an opportunity to gain a meaningful law enforcement experience while earning college credits. Watch the video and view the FAQs to learn about the College Student Internship Program. Each field division has a College Student Internship Program coordinator.
The Inspectors
(TV Show)
From 2015 - 2019, this TV show was funded by the USPIS Asset Forfeiture & Consumer Fraud Awareness Fund. It typically aired on Saturday mornings on CBS.
The show featured cases related to the investigative mission of USPIS and often ended with public broadcast messages to help avoid common mail related scams.
In 1996, Ted Kaczynski was arrested after one of the most extensive manhunts in history. The USPIS 17-year investigation was vital to solving the case and its prosecution. The handcuffs used to arrest Kaczynski were presented to the lead Postal Inspector on the case.
The Unabomber
In 2001, four anthrax-laden letters resulted in the deaths of two postal employees & three citizens. A nine year joint USPIS-FBI investigation resulted in the identity of a suspect, who commited suicide before charges were filed.
2001 Anthrax Case
For over 20 years Allen Stanford lured investors & masterminded a $7 billion Ponzi scheme. The joint investigation by Postal Inspectors and the FBI into the mailings led to his arrest in 2009. Stanford was sentenced to 110 years in federal prison.
Allen Stanford
USPIS in Hollywood
Postal Inspector based characters sometimes do make it on screen. In fact, the comedy series Brooklyn 99 has an episode titled "USPIS." Actor Ed Helms guest stars as US Postal Inspector "Jack Danger."
Released in 1998; U.S Postal Inspectors are called in when a suburban couple are killed by a mail bomb. Suspicion immediately falls on the couple's estranged and heavily in debt son, who also just happens to be a Navy munitions expert. But investigations reveal that he is on the run from a past event in his life that is associated with the bombings.
2019 US Postal Inspectors
Annual Report
For those that are interested in a career as Postal Inspectors with USPIS, I highly encourage you to read the 2019 Annual Report. This report provides detailed information about the agency's mission, operations and will help prepare candidates for their interview.
History of USPIS
Official Video History
Commemorating the 245th anniversary of the US Postal Inspection Service, this video provides fascinating background about its history and origins. A must watch for the history buffs!
Postal Inspector vs. Officer
Although they are similarly and confusingly branded; the U.S Postal Inspection Service has both uniformed law enforcement officers and investigators (Postal Inspectors).
Additionally, Postal Inspectors are in fact 1811 Criminal Investigators; equivalent to the Special Agent position. At one point in history, Postal Inspectors did use the title of "Special Agent" for an initial period. USPIS assumed the name of “Post Office Inspectors” in 1880 to differentiate from other special agents privately employed by railroad and stagecoach companies at the time.
US Postal Inspectors Related Links
In the early 1900's, US Postal Inspectors successfully investigated Charles Ponzi, the father of the pyramid scheme; which bears Ponzi's name to this day. Ponzi later pled guilty to his multi-million dollar scam and served a five year sentence.
Charles Ponzi
In the weeks prior to the 2018 Congressional election, Cesar Sayoc mailed 16 improvised explosive devices to 13 victims around the country; including 11 current or former government officials. A joint US Postal Inspection Service and FBI investigation led to his eventual arrest. Sayoc was later sentenced to 20 years prison.
2018 Anthrax Case
In 2020, former presidential advisor Steve Bannon was arrested by USPIS Postal Inspectors for allegedly diverting millions of dollars meant for an online funded border wall for personal expenses. As a fairly unknown agency, "USPIS" became headline news for a week. As of September 2020; the case is still pending in federal court. Adding to the saga, USPIS arrested Bannon on a Yacht.
