The Role of Local Police Officers in Countering Extremist Activity

Abstract

The Federal Law «On Police» as one of the powers of the police establishes the duty of law enforcement officers to take measures related to the identification, prevention and suppression of extremist and terrorist activities of illegal public organizations and associations. New challenges require additional measures to counter extremism, including those implemented by police officers. The purpose of this study is to identify how local police officers exercise their powers aimed at countering extremist activities. The methodological basis of the study are general scientific and special legal methods, with particular importance given to the method of circular causality. The authors make a conclusion that a considerable amount of responsibility for counteraction to extremist activity lies with the divisions of district police officers, while this activity is not their main task. Due to objective and subjective reasons, these officials face a number of difficulties in their practical work that make it difficult to effectively counter extremist activities. Extremism cannot be eliminated only by the activities of local police officers. Their role is to identify signs of extremist activity and transfer available information to specialized law enforcement units.