Postal Police Reform Grants Postmaster General Power to Set Rules with 30-Day Jail Penalty

The newly introduced Postal Police Reform Act of 2025 zeroes in on two major changes for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS): clarifying the authority of its police force and giving the Postmaster General (PMG) significant new power to create rules for postal property. First, the bill officially adds Postal Service police officers to the list of federal agents under Title 18 of the U.S. Code, putting them on the same legal footing as Postal Inspectors when it comes to federal law enforcement powers. This move clarifies their standing and gives them clear authority to act on federal property.

The New Sheriff at the Post Office

For most people, the biggest change comes from Section 2, which grants the PMG the authority to create official rules for protecting property owned or used by the Postal Service and, crucially, for "managing people who are on that property." Think of this as the PMG becoming the landlord and rule-maker for every post office, processing center, and parking lot nationwide. The rules must be posted clearly, but here’s the kicker: violating these rules can land you in serious trouble. The bill sets the penalty for breaking a PMG-created rule at a fine, up to 30 days in jail, or both.

Parking Tickets to Jail Time: What This Means for You

This provision is a big deal because it delegates the authority to create rules enforceable by criminal penalties—including jail time—to an administrative official (the PMG), rather than having those specific rules written into law by Congress. While the intent is likely to increase security at major mail facilities, the language is broad. Imagine you’re running late, double-park in the post office lot to drop off a package, or perhaps you’re protesting a change in service hours outside the main entrance. If the PMG has posted a rule against specific parking or loitering, you could now face federal criminal charges and up to a month in jail, even for an infraction that might otherwise be a minor civil penalty. This is a significant expansion of authority over the general public using USPS facilities.

The Security vs. Scrutiny Trade-Off

On the one hand, this change gives the USPS the tools it needs to protect valuable mail, equipment, and employees from theft or vandalism, which is a clear benefit for everyone relying on the mail system. It also provides the Postal Police with the unambiguous legal standing they need to do their jobs. On the other hand, the vagueness around "managing people" means the PMG could potentially create rules that restrict public access or behavior in ways that feel arbitrary, and the consequences for non-compliance are severe. We are essentially trusting the PMG to use this new criminal rulemaking power responsibly, ensuring that the rules are reasonable and clearly communicated before the public faces fines or jail time for a minor misstep on postal property.