Features of the district bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Siberia in the 19th century

Abstract

The subject. The reorganization of the district police in Siberia in the second half of the XIX century is comprehensively examined in the article on the basis of pre-revolutionary legislation. Special attention is paid to the organizational and legal issues of the activities and structure of the district police.The purpose of the paper is to confirm or disprove hypothesis that the practice of implementing legislative innovations on the status of internal affairs bodies in Siberia in the 19th century was characterized by systematic seizures and violations.The theoretical and methodological basis of the study includes the principles of historical knowledge – objectivity, historicism, alternative and social approach. These principles let use an unbiased approach to the analysis of the studied problems, as well as a critical attitude to the sources.The main results and scope of their application. The author concludes that the powers of the police bodies in the region had their own specifics and were much broader than in the central provinces of the Russian Empire. Reorganization of the general police in Siberia in the second half of the XIX century changed the structure and method of staffing the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It was not principled, but rather external. Returning to the forgotten traditions of the organization and activities of the police, it is important to take full account of the historical experience that has been accumulated over the centuries. It is also necessary, taking into account modern realities, to take a fresh look at the already known facts and events in order to overcome old myths and misconceptions and prevent the birth of new ones.Conclusions. The police reform of 1867 in Siberia left almost unchanged the limits of power, the distribution of duties, procedures, responsibility and accountability of the general police. A large range of prerogatives remained for the police. In addition, many police officers continued to work the old-fashioned way, trying to ignore changes in the current legislation. The legislator failed to put the Siberian internal Affairs bodies in the strict framework of the law, it was recognized by local leaders and visiting auditors.