Federal Reserve Police

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For the Malaysian police department, see Federal Reserve Unit.
United States Federal Reserve Police
Federal Reserve Police.jpg
Seal of the United States Federal Reserve System.svg
Flag of the United States Federal Reserve.svg
MottoProtecting the nation's economy
Agency overview
Formed2001[1]
Jurisdictional structure
Federal agency
(Operations jurisdiction)		United States
Operations jurisdictionUnited States
Legal jurisdictionNationwide
Constituting instrument
General nature
  • Federal law enforcement
  • Civilian police
Operational structure
Sworn members1,000+
Parent agencyUnited States Federal Reserve System
Facilities
Stations37

The U.S. Federal Reserve Police is the law enforcement unit of the Federal Reserve System, the central banking system of the United States.

History[]

Federal Reserve System Law Enforcement Officers derive their authority from Section 11(q) of the Federal Reserve Act, codified at 12 U.S.C. § 248(q). Federal Reserve officers have the same authority as any other federal law enforcement officer while on duty, regardless of their geographic location.

Prior to designation as federal law enforcement officers, system protection personnel operated as protection or special police officers in their respective states and were generally regulated to exercising authority on Federal Reserve property, with variances dependent on specific district regulations. Prior to federal law enforcement designation, there were no plainclothes or specialized units in the system.[citation needed]

Functions[]

Each Federal Reserve law enforcement office in the twelve regional districts are independent law enforcement units, though governed loosely out of Washington, D.C. Many of the law enforcement districts have dual city or state police authority in addition to their federal authority. This separate authority allows for the enforcement of state and/or city laws, in addition to the Federal Code.

The primary duty of uniformed division officers is to provide general law enforcement and force protection services to Federal Reserve facilities, whether owned or leased. Federal Reserve officers respond to police, fire and medical incidents in and adjacent to their assigned facilities to protect life, render aid or assist other law enforcement. Each Federal Reserve office operates a 24/7 emergency communications (command) center. Federal Reserve officers are authorized to conduct investigations involving Federal Reserve regulations, but assist with local, state and federal investigations into criminal matters that affect the Federal Reserve. Some Federal Reserve districts employ sworn officer intelligence analysts while others utilize non-sworn civilians.

Each district has a dignitary protection team, which provide armed plainclothes protection to the twelve Federal Reserve presidents. Protective driving and off-site special event security of other Federal Reserve officials is regularly performed throughout the country. There are five Special Response Teams (SRT) based in San Francisco, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Richmond, as well as New York City, which are designed to respond nationwide. Additionally, Explosive Detector Dog teams, Active Shooter/Patrol Rapid Response teams and Hazardous Materials teams are assigned to several Federal Reserve districts throughout the nation, often traveling to other regions on temporary assignments.

Equipment[]

Officers are certified to carry a variety of weapons systems, including semi-automatic pistols, assault rifles, and submachine guns. They also carry less lethal weapons including pepper spray, batons, tasers, and other standard police equipment. Officers also wear body armor in both covert and overt forms. Each district can choose the make and model of all police equipment the officers are issued.

Federal Reserve Police car in St. Louis

On October 12, 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law S.B. 1132 the "Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act Improvements Act", which states that law enforcement officers of the Federal Reserve are "qualified law enforcement officers" and thus are authorized to carry a firearm off-duty. This update to the Law Enforcement Safety Act, among other aspects, clarified that federal law enforcement officers working for Amtrak and the Federal Reserve (not funded by Congress) are specifically granted the same rights as publicly funded law enforcement officers as it relates to off-duty concealed carry.

A Ford Taurus Police Interceptor in FRP service, in New York City.
A Ford Expedition of FRP, near Boston Federal Reserve Bank.

Each district can choose the make, model and style of police vehicles, which vary based on location and weather. There are both marked and unmarked police cars in the Federal Reserve fleet.

Employment[]

Federal Reserve Law Enforcement Officers must complete basic training at one of the regional Federal Reserve Police training centers, which are nationally accredited by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC). All Federal Reserve Police Instructors are certified by FLETC or Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). The Federal Reserve System runs regional FLETC-accredited training academies throughout the nation. In some districts, where officers are cross-designated as local–state law enforcement officers, additional training is provided to comply with the governing POST. Some (but not all) districts offer a lateral entry program that allows certification with minimal training for those with prior police training and experience.

Because the Federal Reserve System is independent of the federal government, Federal Reserve Law Enforcement officers have a benefit system separate from, but similar to, public federal employees. Each district has a different pay scale based on the local cost of living index and provides compensation packages comparable to other law enforcement officers in the area. System officers are provided a fully paid (non-contribution) defined pension plan, in addition to a matching thrift savings program.

Fallen officers[]

Since the establishment of the Federal Reserve Police, two officers have been killed in the line of duty.[2]

  • Captain Earl R. Compton EOW: February 29, 1972
  • Special Officer Charles T. Linton EOW: December 18, 1922.

Fallen dog[]

One dog has died while on duty.

  • K9 Remi EOW: January 13, 2014.[3]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "H.R.3162 – Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001: Sec. 364". Congress.gov. United States Congress. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  2. ^ "The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP)". Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  3. ^ "U.S. Government Line of Duty Deaths". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2016-07-10.

Sources[]

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