[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 22, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E652]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INTRODUCTION OF THE POSTAL POLICE AUTHORITY CLARIFYING ACT

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 22, 2022

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Postal 
Police Authority Clarifying Act, which would clarify that United States 
Postal Police Officers (PPOs) have authority to protect mail, postal 
property and postal employees both on and off United States Postal 
Service (USPS) real property. PPOs had been performing their duties 
both on and off USPS real property, but USPS has recently informed them 
that their statutory police powers are limited to USPS real property.
  Under federal law, Postal Inspectors are authorized ``to investigate 
criminal matters related to the Postal Service and the mails . . .,'' 
while PPOs are authorized to protect the ``property owned or occupied 
by the Postal Service or under the charge and control of the Postal 
Service, and persons on that property, including duty in areas outside 
the property to the extent necessary to protect the property and 
persons on the property.'' USPS has recently informed PPOs that 
property consists only of USPS real property, so PPO police powers are 
limited to USPS real property. This narrow interpretation of the 
statute severely limits the ability of PPOs to protect mail and postal 
staff.
  There has been an increase in mail theft nationally, including 
through the theft of stolen universal keys, formally referred to as 
``arrow keys.'' A constituent recently contacted my office after checks 
they put in a blue collection box were stolen. Thieves changed the 
payees and dollar amounts on the checks, and tens of thousands of 
dollars were stolen from my constituent's account. This is just one 
example of the increased mail theft occurring now, and is ample 
evidence of the need for legislation to clarify the authority of PPOs 
to fully protect mail and postal employees.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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