Expanded Job Responsibilities Could Increase Exposure for Federal Agents

 

President Trump, in an executive order, has called for an increased presence of federal law enforcement within major cities in the United States, beginning with Washington D.C.. The D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force has been created with a focus on ensuring public safety in the city, with promises to follow suit in other major cities when necessitated. This task force is made up of officers from the Departments of Interior, Transportation, and Homeland Security, as well as the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It is estimated that currently approximately 500 federal officers and agents are patrolling in the capital, and around 2,000 National Guard soldiers have been deployed as support. 

 

The full operation in Washington D.C. was made possible through Trump’s enactment of the 1973 Home Rule Act, which is not applicable in other cities. Nevertheless, these new public safety assignments create greater exposure of civil liability for federal law enforcement officers. Increased interactions with the public could lead to allegations of wrongdoing and accompanying lawsuits alleging civil rights violations. A FEDS Protection professional liability insurance (PLI) policy can give peace of mind to federal agents when carrying out their revised duties.

 

 

This shift in on-the-job responsibilities coupled with the increased exposure to and interaction with the public could lead to an increase in allegations being made against federal agents. The law enforcement surge in Washington D.C. has been the subject of intense public and media scrutiny, which will likely be repeated in any future surges to cities. Agents will need to be vigilant that they are following all applicable guidelines when carrying out duties.

 

With an intense spotlight on cities where federal agents have been sent, agents should expect a heightened focus on their actions that will leave them vulnerable to allegations of wrongdoing and civil suits being filed against them. Even if the actions taken are within the scope of employment, they can be perceived as wrong by the public.

 

 

With the increased exposure to the public in a highly criticized position, federal agents may be subject to a heightened number of allegations of wrongdoing. It is important now more than ever to protect yourself against any allegations, claims, and suits against you.  If an allegation is made against you, it is a necessity, not luxury, to have knowledgeable and effective counsel advocating on your behalf. FEDS Protection can help.

 

As the professional liability insurance (PLI) provider endorsed by the leading federal law enforcement employee associations, FEDS Protection offers federal employee PLI policies with $1 million, $2 million, or $3 million in civil liability protection for attorney’s fees and indemnity costs in the event you are sued in your civil capacity.  The FEDS policy also includes $200,000 of legal representation coverage per incident for administrative actions and $100,000 of coverage for criminal defense costs.  

 

Annual premiums for FEDS Protection PLI start at $290.  Additionally, federal law enforcement officers, supervisors, and managers are eligible for a reimbursement of up to 50% the cost of their PLI policy through their agency. To learn more about how a FEDS PLI policy can protect you and your career, visit www.fedsprotection.com or call (866) 955-FEDS, M-F 8:30am-6pm to speak directly to a representative.