Pay Up Or Else

In yesterday's post I discussed a fouled-up SWAT team raid conducted on behalf of the Department of Education. The subject of the raid was behind in repaying her student loans (let that percolate in your brain for a while).

In the post I questioned why the Dept. of Ed. needed paramilitary powers to collect past-due debts. Turns out the DoE has a law enforcement arm.

Why is the Education Department purchasing 27 Remington Brand Model 870 police 12-gauge shotguns (all new, no re-manufactured products, thank you)?

The guns are to replace old firearms used by Education’s Office of Inspector General, which is the law enforcement arm of the department.

Here’s a statement from the office in response to a question about why it needs 27 shotguns with a 14-inch barrels:

“The Office of Inspector General is the law enforcement arm of the U.S. Department of Education and is responsible for the detection of waste, fraud, abuse, and other criminal activity involving Federal education funds, programs, and operations. As such, OIG operates with full statutory law enforcement authority, which includes conducting search warrants, making arrests, and carrying firearms. The acquisition of these firearms is necessary to replace older and mechanically malfunctioning firearms, and in compliance with Federal procurement requirements. For more information on OIG’s law enforcement authority, please visit their Web site at : www.ed.gov/oig”

I asked department officials for specific examples of when the rifles might be used, but was referred to the above statement. Perhaps agents need some muscle while apprehending folks charged with fraud.

It's still not clear to me why they need firearms and body armor to detect "waste, fraud, abuse, and other criminal activity involving Federal education funds, programs, and operations." I doubt if 20-something year olds put up much resistance to bill collectors. Visa and MasterCard don't need armed thugs to collect their past-due accounts.

Maybe it has something to do with the dismal job market college grads are facing...