Награждение сотрудников правоохранительных органов советских республик в годы Гражданской войны (1917–1922)

Abstract

This article analyses the practice of awarding law enforcement bodies during the Civil War in Russia. The abolition of awards of the Russian Empire in 1917 resulted in the need to establish a new award system simultaneously with the creation of law enforcement structures in the Soviet republics. The study is based on historical method, objectivity and systematic approach. To process quantitative data, the author used statistical analysis for calculating the results obtained by means of continuous sampling. On the basis of archive materials, published sources and memoirs, it is concluded that the award systems established in the Soviet republics were similar in many respects. With the RSFSR serving as a model, the other republics developed their own awards by analogy. During the Civil War, a significant award arsenal was created, which had both individual and collective status. Law enforcement officers were presented with republican awards as well as departmental decorations. The former were given by the republic’s highest authorities, while the latter by the command authorities of the Cheka–Internal Service–State Political Directorate. The analysis of the award practice indicates that the highest republican awards – orders – were used very rarely to distinguish law enforcement officers. The most common types of employee rewards were valuable gifts, certificates of acknowledgement, as well as material bonuses. The units of the Cheka–Internal Service–State Political Directorate were awarded with revolutionary banners, certificates of acknowledgement, and honorary names. The author concludes that the award system of law enforcement bodies was similar to that of the Armed Forces. The provisions of the established awards did not cover the service of Chekists and policemen. In order to stimulate the work of law enforcement bodies, special awards were introduced. However, their use began only after the formation of the USSR.