Caught Up in Media Exposure

In today’s world, many national news stories focus on the conduct of federal law enforcement officers—whether agents properly followed up on tips and leads, whether proper investigative procedures were followed, or whether officers responded correctly in crises. For better or worse, law enforcement officers consequently often find themselves in the public spotlight. Unfortunately, even officers with excellent conduct that consistently adhere to federal policies aren’t immune to allegations of wrongdoing—and these allegations are frequently made with the benefit of hindsight. Accusations can be made by anyone, including criminal offenders, members of the public, co-workers, special interest groups, or members of Congress, among others.

If you are a federal law enforcement employee, would you be equipped to protect yourself and your career in the wake of such scrutiny? A FEDS Protection professional liability insurance (PLI) policy can help.

While all federal employees are vulnerable to allegations and investigations, FEDS Protection recognizes that federal law enforcement officers are especially likely to be tried in a court of public opinion, regardless of the underlying context and facts of the case. Federal law enforcement officers who interact with the public know that once any sort of incident has broken through into the national news cycle, the media attention can spur Congressional investigations, agency investigations, and public outrage. With the advantage of hindsight, actions can be scrutinized through a lens that unfairly discounts the risks inherent in making heat-of-the-moment decisions. Public discourse and involvement create an overwhelming need to assign blame; federal law enforcement officers can get wrapped up in investigations even if the allegations are baseless or even if they weren’t directly involved in the incident. PLI from FEDS Protection is available and can play a vital role in safeguarding the officers sworn to serve and protect others.

Federal law enforcement officers can protect themselves against investigations with a FEDS Protection PLI policy.  FEDS Protection offers 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 for actions taken within the scope of your employment. Our policy also includes $200,000 of legal representation coverage per incident for administrative actions and $100,000 of coverage for criminal defense costs arising out of actions taken within the scope of your employment. Annual premiums for FEDS Protection PLI start at $290, which is less than it would typically cost to hire a federal employment lawyer for an hour.  LEOSA coverage for off-duty incidents is also available for qualified law enforcement officers. Additionally, federal law enforcement officers are eligible for a reimbursement of up to 50% of the cost of their PLI policy through their agency.

To learn more about FEDS Protection, and how a FEDS professional liability insurance policy can protect you and your career, visit fedsprotection.com or call (866) 955-FEDS, Monday through Friday 8:30 am-6 pm, to speak directly to a representative.

 *This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.