Federal Protective Service

[masreyno]

I wanted to start a thread to see if I could get some discussion going regarding the Federal Protective Service (FPS). I have had the privilege to have some e-mail communications with some FPS officers whom have answered all the questions I’ve asked regarding employment.

However, I was wondering if anyone on the board has or currently works for FPS? Or anyone who has worked along side FPS? I am trying to find out if morale is good within the agency, knowing location plays a major role in officer morale? How is FPS viewed from other LE agencies? Is it an agency that a current LEO would consider transferring to because of its mission, assignments, special response teams, etc?

I am pursuing the Inspector (0080) position with FPS as I am trying to find a LE related career that will allow me to utilize my project management skills gained while working with CBP managing the construction of new land ports of entries and border patrol stations to ensure operational functionality and physical security requirements.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated on anything you would like to say (good or bad) regarding FPS.

Thanks for your time.

[MORA Ranger]

All I know is that FPS has jurisdiction on all federal property, and they are willing and eager to help out the NPS (and me) if we need them to. However, since we haven't called on them in the four months I've been here, I don't know anything else. They're good people and it's nice to know they'll come give me a hand if I've got crap going on at 0400 when I'm the only ranger on and the local PD can be kind of touchy when we call them for assistance.

[MrMisterSU]

Do the the FPS have many 'stations' near park lands of that sort? If the NPS or others call them, where would they come from in that instance? I just picture FPS Officers coming from downtown all the way out to the sticks.

[tunlrat]

FPS? I actually never heard of them until I got to FLETC eons ago. They all seemed to have good morale, but consider that was at the start of their careers. I know they TDY a lot to special events, e.g. Superbowl, Winter Olympics (Salt Lake), etc. so that must be kinda cool. Not sure how big their jurisdiction is, I would think it would be "concurrent" (or is it "exclusive" I always forget the terminology) ending on Federal property. Apparently, they don't stand post all that much using contract security instead.

Hopefully, this isn't OPSEC, but I know not all Federal buildings have FPS officers (not to say they don't have armed security & LEOs walking around). How do I know? The Fed building in my town was on my beat & I got called to at least 2 cases there last month alone. I was like, don't you guys have your own police??

[masreyno]

Thanks for the replys.

I've also noticed that not all Fed Bldgs have a full staff of FPS personnel. However, I've also seen some locations that have a limited number of staff that are responsible for a large area that are centralized in a single location.

The TDY assignments would definately be a perk to the job, but I'm sure those special duties come with seniority.

Which leads me to another question about jurisdiction. I've read and heard about some locations giving FPS some limited authority to enforce local/state laws. I wasn't sure if anyone was aware of this or heard of this also? I am sure there still needs to be a nexus to the federal property, however.

[Bearcat06]

Hopefully, this isn't OPSEC, but I know not ALL Federal buildings have FPS officers (not to say they don't have armed security & LEOs walking around). How do I know? The Fed building in my town was on my beat & I got called to at least 2 cases there last month alone. I was like, don't you guys have your own police??

Actually, the US Marshals Service is responsible for security at all US Courthouses. It is contracted out but the Marshals are in charge.....though FPS will stop by and check things out as well.

Additional, some other Federal Agencies defer their security to themselves....Like US Supreme Court Police, US Capitol Police, US Park Police (think monuments), Smithsonian Police, US DOJ Physical Security Inspectors ( DC Area), FBI Police, etc......

Also, at some of the smaller federal facilities, the FPS will defer it to the locals due to manpower issues.

Hope that helps.....

[Nole795]

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated on anything you would like to say (good or bad) regarding FPS.

Thanks for your time.

There was an article published in Federal Times about how FPS morale was much higher since they were moved to the DHS. I tried to find it for you but could not locate it.

[masreyno]

There was an article published in Federal Times about how FPS morale was much higher since they were moved to the DHS. I tried to find it for you but could not locate it.

Thanks for the info. I'll see if I can look it up. Do you remember how long ago it was? We're usually pretty good at keeping old copies of the fed times at the office.

[Nole795]

Thanks for the info. I'll see if I can look it up. Do you remember how long ago it was? We're usually pretty good at keeping old copies of the fed times at the office.

Actually I was going through some old issues when I came upon the article. Sorry man, cant help you out.

[masreyno]

Actually I was going through some old issues when I came upon the article. Sorry man, cant help you out.

Not a problem. Thanks for the heads up, however.

[MORA Ranger]

Do the the FPS have many 'stations' near park lands of that sort? If the NPS or others call them, where would they come from in that instance? I just picture FPS Officers coming from downtown all the way out to the sticks.

Yeah, well, unfortunately I don't happen to be in the sticks at the moment, so the FPS are nearby. I took this job to get permanent status and sacrificed working in the wilderness. :(

[FPS207]

I work for FPS and if you give me some specific questions, I can answer them. A general synopsis is that we are located in all 50 states, including Guam and Puerto Rico. We are responsible for all federal property, either owned, leased, rented by the government and for the protection and security and law enforcement surrounding the federal employees in and on these properties. We travel quite a bit to major events that the fed government have an interest in, and believe are important to Homeland Security. We are payed very well, have take home vehicles, and have jurisdicition that overlaps with most other federal law enforcement agencies, due to Title 40 USC 1315. It is presumed that before the 2006 year is out, we will be included under the 6(c) retirement, and even without it, is no doubt the best uniformed law enforcment agency to work for within the fed government.

[igneous]

I work for FPS and if you give me some specific questions, I can answer them. A general synopsis is that we are located in all 50 states, including Guam and Puerto Rico. We are responsible for all federal property, either owned, leased, rented by the government and for the protection and security and law enforcement surrounding the federal employees in and on these properties. We travel quite a bit to major events that the fed government have an interest in, and believe are important to Homeland Security. We are payed very well, have take home vehicles, and have jurisdicition that overlaps with most other federal law enforcement agencies, due to Title 40 USC 1315. It is presumed that before the 2006 year is out, we will be included under the 6(c) retirement, and even without it, is no doubt the best uniformed law enforcment agency to work for within the fed government.

Do you know if there any openings now or will be anytime soon? I couldn't find anything on usajobs. What kind of requirements are there for a position like yours?

[Bearcat06]

Do you know if there any openings now or will be anytime soon? I couldn't find anything on usajobs.

Just keep checking. I applied for a FPS position (0083) back in 2003. I got interviewed, physical/drug screen, background, etc.....and they ran out of money for hiring. :rolleyes:

I see a few postings under 0080 and 0083 but a lot of those are for folks that have status (already in the federal system or are honorable discharged Vets)....

On another board, several FPS folks were posting that they were going to be hiring soon a various locations.....but I have seen nothing pop up just yet for the general public.

[MP_Steve]

I work for FPS and if you give me some specific questions, I can answer them. A general synopsis is that we are located in all 50 states, including Guam and Puerto Rico. We are responsible for all federal property, either owned, leased, rented by the government and for the protection and security and law enforcement surrounding the federal employees in and on these properties. We travel quite a bit to major events that the fed government have an interest in, and believe are important to Homeland Security. We are payed very well, have take home vehicles, and have jurisdicition that overlaps with most other federal law enforcement agencies, due to Title 40 USC 1315. It is presumed that before the 2006 year is out, we will be included under the 6(c) retirement, and even without it, is no doubt the best uniformed law enforcment agency to work for within the fed government.

All FPS Officers have take home vehicles?