AFGE Local 918 is the exclusive representative of Federal
Protective Service employees throughout the United States. We
are a certified labor organization (union) representing the
interests of Police Officers, Inspectors, Special Agents, Physical
Security Specialists, Administrative employees and Support
personnel designated as being in the FPS bargaining unit.
AFGE Local 918-FPS was chartered by AFGE National to
exclusively represent FPS employees nationwide. We are the
only Local authorized to represent FPS bargaining unit
employees.
Protective Service employees throughout the United States. We
are a certified labor organization (union) representing the
interests of Police Officers, Inspectors, Special Agents, Physical
Security Specialists, Administrative employees and Support
personnel designated as being in the FPS bargaining unit.
AFGE Local 918-FPS was chartered by AFGE National to
exclusively represent FPS employees nationwide. We are the
only Local authorized to represent FPS bargaining unit
employees.
The origins of FPS date to 1790, with the enactment of
legislation authorizing President George Washington to appoint
three commissioners to establish a federal territory for a
permanent seat of Federal Government. Prior to the formal
establishment of the seat of government, the commissioners
hired six night watchmen to protect the designated buildings the
government was intended to occupy. FPS traces its origins to the
appointment of these six night watchmen.
FPS has resided in a number of different agencies over the
years. The Act of June 1, 1948 authorized the Federal
Administrator to appoint special policemen for duty in connection
with the policing of all buildings owned and occupied by the
United states. In 1949, Congress enacted the Federal Property
and Administrative Services Act of 1949, which consolidated real
property functions within the newly created General Services
Administration (GSA). The FPS force, known at the time as the
United States Special Police came under the supervision of the
Protection Division of the Public Building Service (PBS). In 1971,
the Administrator of GSA signed an order formally establishing
the Federal Protective Force, later known as FPS, and the Civil
Service Commission authorized the special classification title of
Federal Protective Officer (FPO).
Initially, the main function of FPS was protection, as an integral
part of building operations. For the most part, the force held fixed
posts and performed duties that would be considered safety
functions today, such as: eliminating fire and safety hazards,
patrolling buildings, detecting fires, and providing the first line of
defense in fighting fires; and answering visitor questions,
assisting citizens, rendering first aid, and directing traffic when
necessary. By 1960, the mission of FPS became the first line of
defense against bomb threats, bombings, vandalism, mass
demonstrations, and violence against Federal buildings.
More recently, the role of the FPS officer has undergone further
changes. The FPS has shifted its emphasis from the fixed guard
post concept of security to a mobile police patrol and response.
FPS officers perform all duties attendant to the normal
interpretation of a police officer function including maintaining
law and order, preventing or deterring disturbances, and
investigating both felonies and misdemeanors. The Civil Service
Commission developed standards for FPS applicants, which
included a written examination, background investigations, and
physical examinations.
Pursuant to the Homeland Security Act of 2002, FPS was
transferred to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and
retained its responsibilities for protecting the buildings, grounds,
and property owned, occupied, or secured by the federal
government under GSA’s jurisdiction. In addition to GSA
facilities, the Act also provides FPS with the authority to protect
properties held by DHS components that were not under GSA
jurisdiction. FPS was moved from GSA, Public Building Services,
to DHS, effective March 1, 2003. Within DHS, FPS became a part
of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
On October 28, 2009, pursuant to the DHS FY10 Appropriations
Act, FPS was transferred from ICE to the National Protection and
Programs Directorate (NPPD). Today, FPS is responsible for
policing, securing, and ensuring a safe environment in which
federal agencies can conduct business by reducing threats
posed against approximately 9,000 Federal government facilities
throughout the United States.
legislation authorizing President George Washington to appoint
three commissioners to establish a federal territory for a
permanent seat of Federal Government. Prior to the formal
establishment of the seat of government, the commissioners
hired six night watchmen to protect the designated buildings the
government was intended to occupy. FPS traces its origins to the
appointment of these six night watchmen.
FPS has resided in a number of different agencies over the
years. The Act of June 1, 1948 authorized the Federal
Administrator to appoint special policemen for duty in connection
with the policing of all buildings owned and occupied by the
United states. In 1949, Congress enacted the Federal Property
and Administrative Services Act of 1949, which consolidated real
property functions within the newly created General Services
Administration (GSA). The FPS force, known at the time as the
United States Special Police came under the supervision of the
Protection Division of the Public Building Service (PBS). In 1971,
the Administrator of GSA signed an order formally establishing
the Federal Protective Force, later known as FPS, and the Civil
Service Commission authorized the special classification title of
Federal Protective Officer (FPO).
Initially, the main function of FPS was protection, as an integral
part of building operations. For the most part, the force held fixed
posts and performed duties that would be considered safety
functions today, such as: eliminating fire and safety hazards,
patrolling buildings, detecting fires, and providing the first line of
defense in fighting fires; and answering visitor questions,
assisting citizens, rendering first aid, and directing traffic when
necessary. By 1960, the mission of FPS became the first line of
defense against bomb threats, bombings, vandalism, mass
demonstrations, and violence against Federal buildings.
More recently, the role of the FPS officer has undergone further
changes. The FPS has shifted its emphasis from the fixed guard
post concept of security to a mobile police patrol and response.
FPS officers perform all duties attendant to the normal
interpretation of a police officer function including maintaining
law and order, preventing or deterring disturbances, and
investigating both felonies and misdemeanors. The Civil Service
Commission developed standards for FPS applicants, which
included a written examination, background investigations, and
physical examinations.
Pursuant to the Homeland Security Act of 2002, FPS was
transferred to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and
retained its responsibilities for protecting the buildings, grounds,
and property owned, occupied, or secured by the federal
government under GSA’s jurisdiction. In addition to GSA
facilities, the Act also provides FPS with the authority to protect
properties held by DHS components that were not under GSA
jurisdiction. FPS was moved from GSA, Public Building Services,
to DHS, effective March 1, 2003. Within DHS, FPS became a part
of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
On October 28, 2009, pursuant to the DHS FY10 Appropriations
Act, FPS was transferred from ICE to the National Protection and
Programs Directorate (NPPD). Today, FPS is responsible for
policing, securing, and ensuring a safe environment in which
federal agencies can conduct business by reducing threats
posed against approximately 9,000 Federal government facilities
throughout the United States.
| ABOUT AFGE LOCAL 918 |
| HISTORY OF THE FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE |
The Office of Federal Protective Service (FPS) is a branch of
National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) of the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). FPS is a federal
law enforcement agency that provides integrated security and
law enforcement services to federally owned and leased
buildings, facilities, properties and other assets. FPS is
responsible for policing, securing and ensuring a safe
environment in which federal agencies can conduct their
business. FPS does this by investigating threats posed against
the nearly 9,000 federal facilities nationwide.
FPS’ work focuses directly on the interior security of the nation
and the reduction of crimes and potential threats to federal
facilities throughout the nation. Uniformed FPS officers and
special agents respond to calls for assistance, conduct
investigations and provide crime prevention tips, as well as
assist in occupant emergency planning.
All federal facilities under FPS control receive a thorough
building security assessment on a recurring schedule. During
this assessment representatives of all agencies in the facility
are interviewed to gather information on the specific mission
they perform within the facility, and intelligence and crime
statistics for the area are reviewed, as are existing security
countermeasures. Based on the findings and working with the
agencies housed in the facility, security countermeasures are
added or adjusted. This allows for tailored security for each
individual facility versus a one-size-fits-all approach.
FPS services include:
- Providing a visible uniformed presence in major Federal
buildings.
- Responding to criminal incidents and other emergencies.
- Installing and monitoring security devices and systems.
- Investigating criminal incidents.
- Conducting physical security surveys.
- Coordinating a comprehensive program for occupants'
emergency plans.
- Presenting formal crime prevention and security awareness
programs.
- Providing police emergency and special security services
during National Security Special Events, natural disasters such
as earthquakes, hurricanes, and major civil disturbances-as
well as during man-made disasters, such as bomb explosions
and riots.
National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) of the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). FPS is a federal
law enforcement agency that provides integrated security and
law enforcement services to federally owned and leased
buildings, facilities, properties and other assets. FPS is
responsible for policing, securing and ensuring a safe
environment in which federal agencies can conduct their
business. FPS does this by investigating threats posed against
the nearly 9,000 federal facilities nationwide.
FPS’ work focuses directly on the interior security of the nation
and the reduction of crimes and potential threats to federal
facilities throughout the nation. Uniformed FPS officers and
special agents respond to calls for assistance, conduct
investigations and provide crime prevention tips, as well as
assist in occupant emergency planning.
All federal facilities under FPS control receive a thorough
building security assessment on a recurring schedule. During
this assessment representatives of all agencies in the facility
are interviewed to gather information on the specific mission
they perform within the facility, and intelligence and crime
statistics for the area are reviewed, as are existing security
countermeasures. Based on the findings and working with the
agencies housed in the facility, security countermeasures are
added or adjusted. This allows for tailored security for each
individual facility versus a one-size-fits-all approach.
FPS services include:
- Providing a visible uniformed presence in major Federal
buildings.
- Responding to criminal incidents and other emergencies.
- Installing and monitoring security devices and systems.
- Investigating criminal incidents.
- Conducting physical security surveys.
- Coordinating a comprehensive program for occupants'
emergency plans.
- Presenting formal crime prevention and security awareness
programs.
- Providing police emergency and special security services
during National Security Special Events, natural disasters such
as earthquakes, hurricanes, and major civil disturbances-as
well as during man-made disasters, such as bomb explosions
and riots.
| ABOUT THE FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE |
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The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is
the largest federal employee union representing 600,000
federal and D.C. government workers nationwide and
overseas. Workers in virtually all functions of government at
every federal agency depend upon AFGE for legal
representation, legislative advocacy, technical expertise and
informational services.
into 12 geographical districts consisting of some 1,100 Locals.
Over one-half of AFGE's members are consolidated into
agency-wide bargaining units. Agencies with the highest
concentration of union membership include the Department of
Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security
Administration and the Department of Justice.
the largest federal employee union representing 600,000
federal and D.C. government workers nationwide and
overseas. Workers in virtually all functions of government at
every federal agency depend upon AFGE for legal
representation, legislative advocacy, technical expertise and
informational services.
into 12 geographical districts consisting of some 1,100 Locals.
Over one-half of AFGE's members are consolidated into
agency-wide bargaining units. Agencies with the highest
concentration of union membership include the Department of
Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security
Administration and the Department of Justice.
| ABOUT AFGE |
| Copyright 2009: American Federation of Government Employees Local 918. All rights reserved. |
| AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES LOCAL 918-NATIONAL PROTECTION AND PROGRAMS DIRECTORATE Representing NPPD Employees Nationwide |