EZ Messenger Staff - Law Enforcement Usage

Rate our help center and provide feedback HERE and don't forget to rate this article using one of the REACTIONS at the bottom of your screen.

Law Enforcement Officers aka LEO and sometimes referred to as Sheriff or Constable are sometimes used to facilitate the service of process on a job. Ideally we serve jobs through private process, that's our business and how we make money, BUT sometimes it just isn't possible. The reasons can be summarized in two categories:

Lack of Coverage

We are continually expanding our coverage with private process servers, constantly marketing and onboarding new process servers. But, not all areas are always covered so occasionally we have to use LEO. Some key points about LEO usage due to lack of coverage:

• It's our fault, because we don't have coverage we have to cover the cost which means we can't bill the customer for the cost of the LEO or a LEO Handling Fee, we only get to bill the customer for a normal service of process fee

• We need to monitor these and make sure we are trying to fill the gaps as much as possible and where financially feasible

• Sometimes it's cheaper to use a LEO in a given area because there may not be sufficient competition with private process to keep the cost down

• Sometimes a private process server will go to an area they don't normally cover for more than one job, it's helpful if we can pool/aggregate jobs but that isn't feasible most of the time

• We may need client permission to proceed with LEO

Escalation or Legal Authority

There are times where a private process server can't proceed either because the situation has escalated OR because they don't have authority. Some examples of when this happens:

• Jail or Prison Service often requires LEO

• Gated communities sometimes require LEO

• Threats against a process server's safety require LEO

• Issues with no trespassing often require LEO

• Some forms of papers specifically require LEO

In these cases the following key points are true:

• It's not our fault and therefore we are going to pass the cost of the LEO on to our customer in most cases AND we are going to charge a handling/processing fee for the effort

• We need to be clear in our notes about why a LEO was used in case the fees are questioned

• We may need client permission to proceed with LEO

There are some other excellent articles related to how and who manages the LEO process within the company. Use the search term LEO or Constable or Sheriff or Law Enforcement.

Some are here: https://help.ezmessenger.com/en/?q=LEO