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post office personnel and recovering mail, money, or other properties lost or destroyed. In addition, Postal
Inspectors determine whether postal revenues are being protected and whether the Postal Service is
operating according to postal laws and regulations.
U.S. SECRET SERVICE
The U.S. Secret Service, created in 1865, is one of our nation's oldest law enforcement agencies. It was
originally formed as a bureau of the Department of the Treasury and was given the responsibility of
eliminating the counterfeiting of our currency as well as the forging and cashing of government checks,
bonds, and securities. During that period (after the Civil War), about one-third of all money in circulation
was counterfeit, and the prospects of economic chaos moved Congress to create this agency. The Secret
Service distinguished itself by waging a successful battle against counterfeiters and forgers, hundreds of
whom were seized, arrested, and imprisoned. Even today, the effectiveness of this agency can be judged
by the minor losses sustained by the public from counterfeit money or government obligations.
The Secret Service is perhaps best known for its protection of the President of the United States. After
the attempted assassination of President Truman, Congress granted the U.S. Secret Service its permanent
protection authority.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Within the Department of Transportation are agencies that enforce federal laws: The Federal Aviation
Administration enforces federal regulations related to air safety and has jurisdiction in such matters as
the manufacture, registration, safety, and operation of aircraft. The U.S. Coast Guard, except when
operating as part of the Navy in wartime, performs duties within the Department of Transportation and
assists in the enforcement of federal laws on the high seas or on seas within U.S. jurisdiction. It also
develops and carries out port security programs.
In viewing law enforcement as it exists at each level of government--local, county, state, and
federal--it is apparent that few careers in public service present such variety or prospects for challenge.
The role of law enforcement officers is changing rapidly in response to the needs of society and will
continue to do so as law officers carry out their primary tasks of maintaining peace and order within the
framework of the law.
In the following section, law enforcement occupations representative of those found at the local,
county, state, and federal levels are presented in detail.
