The zems initiatives for improving the law enforcement system in Urals in 1917

In the conditions of creating a law-based state, activization of local self-government bodies is of great importance. It is necessary that they become democratic, professional and mobile. Each local government should be a full-fledged and responsible owner in matters relating to meeting the daily needs and demands of people, implementing the allocated funds, using all local capacities and reserves. Traditionally, the local authorities are responsible for a significant part of the issues of public education, health, social protection of citizens, infrastructure, cooperative movement, environmental protection, law enforcement support and a number of other equally important aspects of life. The aim of the work is to reveal the comprehensive activity of the zemstvos on the improvement of the law enforcement system in the Urals in 1917. The main sources of work were the materials of central and local archives: the State Archives of the Russian Federation, the Central State Historical Archive of the Republic of Bashkortostan, the State Archives of the Perm Region, the State Archives of the Orenburg Region, and others. After the February Revolution, the zemstvos included such law enforcement agencies as the police, magistrates, legal advice, arrest houses and prisons. Zemstvos strengthened the material and technical base of these institutions. They selected personnel, allocated funds for construction and reparation of premises, bought furniture, stationery, typewriters, telephone sets. Significant funds were allocated for equipment and personnel, wages and remuneration of the most distinguished employees. An important and controversial was the question of staff. Some zemstvos believed that it was necessary to preserve old experienced staff, while simultaneously recruiting new personnel. Other zemstvos were categorically against the old staff and hastened to get rid of them, mercilessly dismissing them. The resolution of the Zlatoust Uyezd Zemsky Assembly said that it was necessary to select the conscientious, knowledgeable people who could work with people loyal to their country. However, in some places the cleaning of the old police officers was very harsh. For example, in the Orsk district, all former police officers were fired. The new composition of the police was horrific. Even people with criminal background were enlisted to the police. The same situation was observed in Verkhneuralsk Uyezd. Zemstvos solved the housing problems of law enforcement officers. They also organized and financed courses for the training of police personnel, where along with theoretical studies, practical training was conducted, teaching to use weapons and hand-to-hand combat techniques. Such courses were held in Ufa, Chelyabinsk, Yekaterinburg. With zemstvos, the material welfare of law enforcement officers has improved, as has the organizational structure and quality of work. The experience of the zemstvos of the Urals in the formation and maintenance of law enforcement institutions is enormous, and it must now be used in the work of local self-government bodies. The author declares no conflicts of interests.

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