@LTimmins – Mailcover is not as intrusive as many people think. For one, the only information that is recorded is that which can be seen on the outside of the letter or package anyway. Secondly, I doubt that the authorities will waste their time on envelope procedures if the person in question is just an innocent citizen. In other words, it would probably only be used in very severe cases. The majority of people who complain about it should have no valid reason to fear it. (1) If a written request is received from a postal inspector giving reason to believe that an envelope will provide evidence of a contravention of a postal law. WHEREAS the use of envelopes has been repeatedly abused throughout its history, undermining the principles of the First and Fourth Amendments and potentially violating the constitutional rights of individuals; Postal envelope monitoring is the investigative practice of recording listed information outside mail to or from a specific address that has existed in the United States since the nineteenth century; 3. Sealed mail is mail which, in accordance with postal laws and regulations, belongs to a postal class maintained by the postal service for the transmission of sealed letters against inspection. Sealed mailings include: first class mail; Priority mail; Priority Express Mail; Outbound international expedited services (Priority Mail Express International; as well as Global Express guaranteed items containing only documents); Single piece package of first class International Service; International priority airmail, excluding M-Bags; International surface air transport, excluding M bags; One-piece outgoing first-class international post; Global bulk economy contracts, excluding M-Bags; and International Transit Mail. Investigators requesting an envelope must complete certain forms. Application information includes, but is not limited to, the duration of coverage, the reasons for the request, the name and address of the subject, and how it will be used to develop evidence. Blankets cannot be used as evidence, solely to generate clues, and are not a routine investigative step. The U.S.
Postal Service strongly advises investigators not to disclose when using this technique. 1. The Chief Postal Inspector shall be the Chief Inspector of the Postal Service for the administration of all matters relating to envelopes. The Chief Inspector of Posts may delegate some or all of the relevant powers in this regard to a maximum of two officers at the headquarters of the inspection service. Some people have argued that the use of an envelope violates a Fourth Amendment person`s rights against improper search and seizure. U.S. courts have confirmed that this is not the case because there is no reasonable expectation of privacy on the part of employees of public services or government agencies when sending information about these facilities. Along with pen logs, wiretapping, and other tactics, an envelope is just a tool used by law enforcement to complement solid investigative work. Our objective was to determine whether the postal service and the postal control service were processing envelopes effectively and efficiently in accordance with postal and federal requirements. A mailing envelope is justified if it promotes an investigation or provides evidence of a crime. The U.S.
Postal Service is responsible for collecting and transmitting data to the Postal Inspection Service for further processing. Postal and law enforcement officials must ensure compliance with data protection policies to protect the privacy of customers, employees and others. (e) The Chief Postal Inspector or his or her agent may order envelopes in the following circumstances: (6) Mail envelopes shall not remain in effect for more than 120 consecutive days unless the Chief Postmaster Inspector or the officers of the head office have personally authorized a further extension. 2. The Chief Postal Inspector shall select and appoint a Commissioner who shall conduct a periodic review of postal coverage orders relating to national security. In fiscal year 2013, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service processed approximately 49,000 envelopes. A post cover is a survey tool used to record data that appears outside of mail.
Law enforcement agencies use this information to protect national security; locate fugitives; obtain evidence; or assist in the identification of property, proceeds or assets that have been confiscated under criminal law. (2) For the purposes of subsection 3 of section 233, a recording, photograph, photocopy or other facsimile of an image of the outer cover, cover, packaging or contents of a postal class is a recording, photograph, photocopy or other facsimile. In addition to these administrative errors, in some cases, the Mail Cover program violates the Fourth Amendment in light of the U.S. Supreme Court`s decision in United States v. Jones and other cases; The envelope is defined by the United States. Postal Regulations 39 CFR 233.3[4] and the Internal Revenue Manual[5] as follows: No one other than sanctioned law enforcement agencies may request a mailing envelope. Only postal workers are authorized to record the information, which can then be passed on to the applicant. Investigators must submit a written request to the Postal Inspection Office. In an emergency, a local postal inspector may give verbal authorization, or the office may do so until a formal request is received within three days of the operation.
The request does not authorize law enforcement agencies to seize or open mail without a federal search warrant or legal exemption from that warrant. 4. No officer or employee of the postal service other than the Chief Postal Inspector, the Manager of the Inspection Operations Support Group and their officers is permitted to order envelopes. In no event shall a postmaster or postal clerk disclose information under section 233.3(c)(1) to any person except as authorized by a postal order issued by the inspector or chief postal agent or ordered by a postal inspector in the circumstances described in section 233.3(f). We recommended that management improve controls to ensure that responsible staff process envelopes in a timely manner and conduct regular reviews of the postal coverage program.