Structure and features of functioning of criminal investigation department of Yekaterinburg province in 1919-1923

This article deals with the main features of the formation and activity of criminal investigation during Yekaterinburg province's existence in 1919-1923. Belying on the materials of the Ural archives not previously entered into scientific circulation, the author characterized the periods of existence of Yekaterinburg investigation bodies. The most important events were identified and analyzed in each period. The work presents detail information on the quantitative and qualitative staff of criminal investigation department identified the general features of the leadership and rank and file. On the basis of the generalized information the author concludes that a significant problem of Yekaterinburg province's investigation bodies was a shortage of specialists who knew detective work well. In this article the author also discusses the features of supplying the criminal investigation's agents by food, uniforms, equipment and weapons. Further, based on detailed statistics, the author concluded, that the second but not less important problem in criminal investigation department's activity was the low level of personnel's provision with basic necessities. The paper also considers the structure of investigation bodies paying special attention to often changes in order to find the optimal management form. In addition, the author considers the functions of criminal investigation department and represents detailed statistics of crime in Yekaterinburg province. At the end of his work, the author made a conclusion that the Yekaterinburg province's criminal investigation department was not a structure capable to fight with organized criminal in 1919-1921. Later, in 1922-1923 it became possible to improve the activity of criminal investigation with the help of various new measures. In particular, at the end of 1922 there was a transition of law enforcement agencies of Yekaterinburg province to local supply. From that moment the maintenance of law enforcement agencies was not carried out by the Central structures, but was included in the duties of local Councils. The transition to local funds allowed more efficient allocation of material resources and was the reason for a significant improvement in the material support of the police and the Criminal investigation. By the beginning of 1923 the level of supply of weapons, equipment and food to criminal investigation officers had increased significantly, but there was an acute shortage of horse-drawn transport. However, at the end of 1923 Yekaterinburg criminal investigation department ceased to exist. Nevertheless, its staff and material base formed the foundation of the new structure of criminal investigation. In addition, experience had been accumulated over 3 years also became the basis for the futher development of crime control.

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