Congressional Scrutiny Shows Why Task Force Officers Need Professional Liability Insurance

What is a federal task force?

Federal departments, such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), oversee hundreds of federal task forces across the country. These departments partner with state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement to fill positions on task forces working to combat violent crime, stem the flow of illegal narcotics, and arrest dangerous fugitives.

Why are task forces being reviewed?

In March 2024 Senator Jon Ossoff, D-GA, submitted a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting the agency open a review of how the Justice Department oversees federal task forces. Senator Ossoff’s letter specifically calls into question oversight measures for state and local law enforcement officers deputized as special federal officers while working on task forces.

When will GAO’s investigation begin?

GAO has confirmed the agency accepted Senator Ossoff’s request and will begin an in-depth examination into federal task forces within the next few months. Task force officers may be subject to increased scrutiny, calls for accountability, and accompanying disciplinary action. While state and local officers working on federal task forces may be deputized with the same federal powers as federal law enforcement officers, that also means they have the same vulnerabilities. It is crucial that task force officers have the tools to protect themselves – FEDS Protection can help.

Who is eligible for FEDS PLI?

Like federal law enforcement officers, federal task force officers are eligible for professional liability insurance (PLI) from FEDS Protection. If you are a federal law enforcement officer, you know how important it is to be able to perform your duties without fear that doing so will result in lawsuits and investigations that cost you your job or your savings. Through reimbursement directives and agency benefits education, federal employees on task forces have information about PLI that their state and local federally deputized task force officers may not:  telling your fellow officers about their available coverages can help ensure that your team is protected.

Where can task force officers obtain PLI coverage?

FEDS Protection provides task force officers the same coverage as federal law enforcement officers, at the same price. FEDS offers task force officers PLI policies with $1 million or $2 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 just $290.  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.

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