Police … One name for this law enforcement agency often causes a storm of negative emotions in people. But the profession of a policeman was once considered very prestigious, and it was understood that citizens would respect both the whole structure of the police and its individual representatives. What does the Russian police look like inside? What should be the main tasks of the police? What should be characterized by an ideal policeman and why the desired image often does not coincide with the real one? You can find answers to all these questions in this article.
What is the police?
The police is one of the internal affairs bodies that is part of the Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Federation. Police, depending on the area of activity, can be divided into criminal, public security police, as well as territorial and transport. The head of the police apparatus is the Minister of the Interior, as well as the heads of the territorial bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the heads of units. Protecting the health, life, rights and freedoms of citizens, as well as protecting the interests of the state from criminal encroachments, are the most important tasks of the police. The modern police structure includes more than two dozen units, among which are: the Main Department of Criminal Investigation, the Department for the Organization of Inquiries, OMON, the national central bureau of Interpol, etc.
How to: militia or police? Reform of the Ministry of Internal Affairs
In 2011, a reform of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was carried out, which changed the name and powers of law enforcement officers in order to eliminate corruption in the structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. From 2011, all police officers had to undergo forced re-certification in order to obtain police status. Subsequently, more than 10 generals of the Ministry of Internal Affairs were fired, and the police began to use innovative technologies in the service. The first time in the discussion of such a large bill was attended by more than 5 million citizens.
Police history
The police in Russia are not at all a new authority, since they appeared already in the 18th century, when Peter I approved the new position of police general to support public order in St. Petersburg. Over time, police offices appeared in most cities of Russia. In 1775 a rural police force was created. Then the task of the police was not only the disclosure of crimes, but also the conduct of judicial investigations.
In 1866, for the first time in the Russian Empire, a special subdivision was established, which was engaged in the disclosure of serious crimes and conducting inquiries - the detective police. The Criminal Investigation Service has grown out of this subsection. In the twentieth century, in addition to the initial disagreement of the Bolsheviks (their utopian idea was to create a police and army from a common people, which itself had to be organized into harmonious, armed groups), the police still remained, albeit in a reformed form.
Police competencies and principles
The tasks of the police (according to the Federal Law “On the Police”) are: ensuring personal security, protecting various forms of ownership, detecting and solving crimes, protecting public order and security, preventing administrative and criminal violations, helping legal and natural persons with a clear violation of their rights. The police must act within the framework of the law, in accordance with ethical standards, respecting the rights and freedoms of man, regardless of his nationality, religious and political views. Police officers cannot solve their tasks with the help of torture, physical or psychological violence. In addition, the police have no right to use or disseminate personal information about a person without his consent (exceptions are cases described in federal law).
Features of the military police
Before the October Revolution, the role of the military police was performed by the so-called gendarmerie. The idea of organizing a military police came back over the past decade, reform tests were undertaken in 2010-2012, but only in 2015 did Vladimir Putin approve the charter of the military police of the Russian armed forces. Now the militarized police, which performs the functions of protecting the health, life and freedoms of servicemen, is part of the structure of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In addition, the military police monitor crime and discipline in military garrisons and has the right to verify the physical fitness of soldiers. The head of the military police is the head of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
What should be a police officer?
Like every official, a policeman is obliged to follow a professional code and to arouse respect and trust of citizens with his appearance and behavior. Unfortunately, not many representatives of the profession, which is so important for the country and public order, comply with all norms of behavior. Most often, officials forget that the tasks of police officers cannot always be solved with the help of uniforms, courage, or good physical preparation.
So, what other qualities, besides the above, should be present with a good cop? Firstly, responsiveness and courtesy, because the profession of a policeman is, first of all, working with people. For a sociable, neat, conscientious person I want to ask for help. In this same situation, patience and composure play an important role. The police station is not a place for emotions and impulsive behavior. In addition, the policeman must be 100% tolerant of people of a different nationality or religion. Secondly, the policeman must follow the law and not exceed his authority. But in controversial situations, a police officer can be guided by his moral principles, and not just the soulless pages of codes, provided that he is ready to take moral responsibility for what is happening. And another important element of the police professional code is patriotism. After all, all the tasks of the Russian police are somehow related to the good of Russian society.
