In a previous News4JAX story, Frank Albergo, president of the Postal Police Officers Association, criticized the Postal Service for limiting officers’ jurisdiction to postal facilities during a spike in armed robberies targeting letter carriers. Albergo argued this decision leaves postal workers and mail vulnerable.
“Restore postal police jurisdictional authority and use postal police in the most cost-efficient way possible,” Albergo said. ”Put us back on the streets to protect letter carriers and the mail. It’s common sense.”
The armed thieves are often targeting “arrow keys,” which can unlock an entire ZIP Code’s mailboxes. The theft of these keys poses significant risks to mail security and carrier safety.
USPIS disputes the union’s claims, stating that postal police are being strategically deployed at key facilities in 20 major metro areas. These officers provide security, enforce order, and handle emergencies.
In a written statement to News4JAX, the agency emphasized that postal police jurisdiction has always been limited to postal property, citing a 2020 federal court ruling that upheld this interpretation.
“Contrary to assertions made, neither any court nor arbitrator has contested the Postal Service’s interpretation,” USPIS wrote. “This conclusion remains unchallenged.”
The agency also clarified that Postal Police Officers (PPOs) lack the statutory authority of postal inspectors, who handle crimes such as mail theft, fraud, and identity theft.
For now, the USPIS maintains its position. “There are no current plans to return PPOs to street patrols in their former capacity,” the statement said, adding that the agency remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of the mail stream and combatting postal crime nationwide.
Albergo and the union continue to push for policy changes, arguing that redeploying postal police to street patrols would provide a critical deterrent during a troubling increase in postal crimes