Law enforcement

Police supervision in rural areas

The preservation of public order and deanery in the village was the main duty of the Sotsky or Sotsky headman. In fact, Sotsky was a low-ranking police officer in the village. The peasants elected the Sotsky headman annually, one for 100−200 households. This duty was honorable, though troublesome and free of charge. Sometimes peasant communities hired hundreds from retired ranks. The payment of services was at the expense of merchants and large landowners. At the end of the nineteenth century, this payment averaged 37 rubles per year.

The village headman was also obliged to monitor the purity of water in rivers and lakes, order in trade, and take measures against fire. Sotsky was obliged to inform his superiors about all the incidents. He reported directly to the bailiff, executed the order of the zemstvo court and the instructions of the captain-police officer. Since 1878, the sotskiye began to obey the police constable, and since 1903 they began to be replaced by freelance county police guards. By 1906, the position had been abolished in most provinces of the Russian Empire.

Rural district police officer

The work of a rural district police officer is the most difficult job in the internal affairs bodies, because you have to work with people, and working with people cannot be easy. Often in the village, except for the district police officer, people don’t know anyone else. The duties of the rural precinct include: law enforcement, checking teenagers who are registered, and citizens under administrative supervision, gun owners. The district police officer can investigate criminal cases, help the investigative task force and work until its arrival.

The precinct officer’s working day begins at 10:00 a.m. — with a general meeting. There is a lot to do before it: pass a medical examination and a mechanic, pick up official transport at the car park and fill out a waybill. At the meeting, they set tasks for the day, talk about the latest incidents, and discuss official issues.

Local residents come to the precinct with various questions: because of domestic conflicts, and sometimes just for advice. At the same time, the trust of the locals still needs to be earned. The new precinct officer begins his work by getting to know all the residents on his territory.

At the same time, even in a small village there is a sea of information, and it is not easy not to drown in it. All the rumors that are walking around the village reach the district police officer. Some villagers come to complain about each other, some just want to chat.

Source: The First guy in the Village: how is the rural precinct police service organized

https://rk.karelia.ru/social/pervyj-paren-na-derevne-kak-ustroena-sluzhba-selskogo-uchastkovogo

Passports. Passport control

In pre-Petrine times, Russian small artisans, peasants and other working people did not have the means and need to travel outside Russia, and no special documents were required for the nobles. The following categories were given the privilege to move around the country without a passport and live in any of its settlements without documents: titled nobility, local nobility, service nobility, army and navy officers, officials of state institutions regardless of origin, clergy — with the exception of wandering monks, university professors and teachers of gymnasiums and other urban schools, doctors, honorary and hereditary citizens in cities, merchants of the 1st and 2nd guilds.

In 1724, a number of decrees were issued, introducing for a significant part of the population inside the country, various kinds of documents identical, according to modern concepts, to passports. Such "passports" were issued only to skilled craftsmen whose knowledge and experience could be used in construction. Since 1724, a peasant going to work was obliged to carry a "pass" or "pro-feeding" letter with a description of the appearance. In 1803, they were replaced by "address tickets". These identity cards were issued by special "Address Offices" at police stations. In 1837 The Address Office was replaced by an Address Expedition, which now also registered all foreigners. Gradually, the issuance of passports (passes) became the responsibility of the police authorities. The passport had to be registered with the police. Over time, the role of various documents identical to a passport in Russia has changed. They turn into documents authorizing a person to leave their permanent place of residence. Essentially, these documents allowed the migration of the population throughout Russia, and they acquired the status of a passport.

Уездная полиция

Главой уездной (окружной) полиции являлся исправник, который назначался губернатором с утверждением Министерства внутренних дел. Исправник был наделен широкими полномочиями, далеко выходящими за пределы общественной безопасности, защиты жизни, здоровья и имущества граждан. Окружной исправник заведовал полицейскими служащими, решал кадровые вопросы. В его воле было назначение на службу, перемещение, награждение и наказание, увольнение. Исправник следил за выполнением приказов, положений, циркуляров и инструкций. Выполнял следственно-разыскные функции, в том числе сыск и дознание, наблюдение и агентурная сеть, надзор за ссыльными.

Во второй половине XIX в. была введена должность помощника (заместителя) окружного исправника. Помощник назначался и увольнялся со службы в том же порядке, что и глава окружной полиции. В обязанности помощника входило делопроизводство, а также он заменял исправника в случае его отсутствия по болезни, отпуска или ухода на пенсию.

Окружному исправнику подчинялись становые приставы. Несколько волостей объединяли в станы.

9 июня 1878 г. была введена должность полицейских урядников — самая низшая должность окружной полиции. Полицейские урядники подчинялись становым приставам. Они обязаны были находится на участниках, к которым прикреплялись. В обязанность полицейских урядников входило следить за общественным порядком. Урядники обязаны следить выполнением призыва на военную службу. Кроме того, на полицейского урядника накладывались особые обязательства. Например, по Уставу лесному не допускать самовольной порубки и кражи леса. По Уставу питейному следить за правилами торговли вином.