DHS - I've got some questions...

[K. Darien Freeheart]

I was driving home from work a few days back and I saw a weird looking police car. It said in big blue letters "Police" and "Federal Protection Service".

I googled the term and found that it's ICE, that agency that's supposed to deal with "illegal immigrants". But ICE's website made me a bit nervous when I saw it say:

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is responsible for eliminating vulnerabilities in the nation's border, and with economic, transportation and infrastructure security.

Transportation and infrastructure security? We already know the federal people consider speeders to be terrorists so does that mean that these federal police can give me speeding tickets?

And if a new police agency can be created without telling anyone, how should anyone protect themselves from criminals who could dress as a cop?

I decided I'd write to the Department of Homeland Security and see what they can answer for me. I'd appreciate any input.

***

Kevin M. Dean
123 Foo St.
Frederick, MD 21701

Department of Homeland Security People
Washington, DC 20528

August 22, 2008

Dear Reader,

I have some questions regarding the nature of your organization, and request some information to better deal with a group of people I consider threats to my peaceful life.

I was driving home from work the other day along northbound Interstate 270, somewhere between northern Montgomery County, Maryland or southern Frederick County, Maryland. I noticed a white car pass me with red and blue sirens (they were not active) and in large blue letters the word "Police" was written on them. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security seal and the words "Federal Protection Service" was on the vehicle.

Naturally, I became frightened. As a person born within the borders of land claimed by people calling themselves "the United States", it is my understanding that various police agencies exist that have "authority" over certain areas (that is, not following their demands will result in being locked in a cage or physical force used against you) but these agencies have always claimed to be "city police", "county sheriffs" or "state troopers". I was not aware that there were armed federal police prowling the roads.

Because of the frequency at which criminals dress in uniform to defraud and harm people, I have some questions.

1. How should an average person protect themselves from being victim of a criminal dressed as a police officer?

I've asked many of my friends and co-workers and all of them say they've never heard of federal police. Because of the frequency that criminals dress in police-like uniforms, anybody that treats all sirens or uniforms or badges as "legitimate" would be foolish and gambling with their lives.

2. What "laws" does this agency "enforce"?

State police are supposedly in existence to "enforce" state "law". Municipal police to enforce municipal law and so on. It follows that this agency would be charged with enforcing federal law, but does that assumption stand up if a Federal Protection Agent wants to pull me over for speeding?

3. Are "Federal Protection Service" agents bound to follow and uphold the US Constitution?

As this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6ETi2HZtp0) shows, various state and local police appear to have no obligation to follow or enforce the US Constitution. It shows (several times) police restricting the rights of the press, blatantly stating "I don't care about the Constitution" while performing job functions. I would sincerely hope at least a federal level police agency would have the Constitution as guiding policy.

4. If I do not recognize the validity or "authority" of the "Federal Protection Service" agents, will they use force against me or put me in a cage?

City, county and state police seem to get angry when you do not stop if they turn on those blinking lights on top of the cars they drive. People who don't recognize their validity, and hence do not stop, are often put in a cage and often police will point guns at those people.

5. How do I withdraw my consent to be subjected to your agency?

Supposedly, all government action within "the United States" is authorized by the Constitution. The Constitution is clear it gets it's authority from "the consent of the governed". As this new level of police is confusing and unneeded, I'm interested in withdrawing my consent and wish you to tell me how.

Cordially,



Kevin M. Dean

[error]

The Federal Protective Service isn't a new police agency. It's been around since 1971. They're responsible for policing federal buildings. But it used to be part of the General Services Administration, which manages federal buildings and other federally owned property. After 9/11 it was thrown in with the Department of Homeland Security, a widely criticized move since now FPS is having severe budget problems (buying all those shiny new police cars they never needed before didn't help, I'm sure).

It was FPS officers who arrested Russell Kanning inside the post office. And if you search the forum, you'll find plenty of coverage.

Most notably, they're the agency which caused records of peaceful protesters and anti-war groups to appear in a military intelligence database.

[TresJay]

I'd appreciate any input.

I noticed a white car pass me with red and blue sirens (they were not active)

A siren is a noisemaker.  Perhaps you meant "lights" or "beacons".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siren_(noisemaker)

[error]

Now for a real question: What was that unmarked blue minivan with the DHS plate doing which I saw on I-93 last night?

[K. Darien Freeheart]

The Federal Protective Service isn't a new police agency. It's been around since 1971.

The first time I've ever seen a car that said "police" on it and was from the Federal Protection Service was this year. They may have existed since 1971 but they have not made an appearance in my life until 2008. Something is changed about their mission, or their power or whatever - there's now a routinely visible police presence that did not exist three years ago. I'll update my letter to reflect that while the agency might not be new, their "police presence" in my life is.

[les nessman]

   When I worked in  Concord occasionally I would see the FPS "Dept of Homeland Security" patrol car driving around downtown and at
Pleasant Street at the Cleveland/Rudman compound.  Until I worked in Concord I had never seen one, at least one that was marked anyway.  Once in St Louis I found a police station as I was walking to a meeting and these guys were parked outside:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrNMnHXqQ9g

[error]

[J’raxis 270145]

Now for a real question: What was that unmarked blue minivan with the DHS plate doing which I saw on I-93 last night?

Weren't we already in mAssachusetts when we saw that? They're always one of the first to bend over backwards for the Fedgov. I was living down there when they were allowing soldiers armed with machine guns patrol the area around the 2004 Democratic National Convention, including on the subway.

[error]

Now for a real question: What was that unmarked blue minivan with the DHS plate doing which I saw on I-93 last night?

Weren't we already in mAssachusetts when we saw that? They're always one of the first to bend over backwards for the Fedgov. I was living down there when they were allowing soldiers armed with machine guns patrol the area around the 2004 Democratic National Convention, including on the subway.

Yeah, it was in Mass.

[margomaps]

The Federal Protective Service isn't a new police agency. It's been around since 1971.

The first time I've ever seen a car that said "police" on it and was from the Federal Protection Service was this year. They may have existed since 1971 but they have not made an appearance in my life until 2008. Something is changed about their mission, or their power or whatever - there's now a routinely visible police presence that did not exist three years ago. I'll update my letter to reflect that while the agency might not be new, their "police presence" in my life is.

You live not far from fed-central.  It's quite likely that FPS employees have worked around you for a long time, but only recently started driving vehicles as you describe.  And then you started to notice them.

[Kat Kanning]

FPS/ICE arrested Lauren and I too.

[Lloyd Danforth]

It seems a little late to be protesting the  'Inquisition'!

[error]

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!