NCJ Number
46346
Journal
International Review of Criminal Policy Issue: 33 Dated: (1977) Pages: 34-38
Date Published
1977
Length
5 pages
Annotation
A DETAILED DESCRIPTION IS GIVEN OF VARIOUS ACTIVITIES OF THE 'MILITIA' (WHICH IS EQUIVALENT TO THE TERM 'POLICE') IN THE SOVIET UNION; WORK CONSISTS OF STRONG CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES AS WELL AS APPREHENSION.
Abstract
THE SOVIET MILITIA WAS ESTABLISNED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REVOLUTION IN 1917 AND BY 1920 HAD ASSUMED THE ADMINISTRATIVE FORM IT STILL MAINTAINS TODAY. FROM THE BEGINING ITS MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES HAVE BEEN SUPERVISING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LAWS AND DECREES OF THE CENTRAL AND LOCAL ORGANS OF AUTHORITY, MAINTAINING PUBLIC ORDER, COMBATING CRIME, AND PROTECTING THE PERSONAL SAFETY OF CITIZENS AND THEIR PROPERTY AS WELL STATE AND PUBLIC PROPERTY. THE MILITIA IS RESPONSIBLE TO BOTH THE MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR AND TO THE LOCAL SOVIET OF WORKING PEOPLE'S DEPUTIES AND ITS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS OF THE WORKING LEVEL OF THE MILITIA IS DETECTION OF CRIMES WHICH ARE ABOUT TO BE COMMITTED. THE STAFF MAY TRY TO FIND OUT WHEN A PERSON IS PLANNING A CRIME. WHEN INFORMATION COMES TO LIGHT THAT SOMEONE WITH A PREVIOUS CONVICTION INTENDS TO COMMIT A CRIME, MEMBERS OF THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT WILL TALK TO THAT PERSON AND TRY TO PERSUADE HIM NOT TO PROCEED. OFTEN, PLANNED CRIMINALITY IS AVERTED BY PRESSURE FROM THE WORKERS' COLLECTIVE. IF ALL ELSE FAILS, THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT PICKS UP THE OFFENDER AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE STAGE OF THE CRIMINAL ACT TO PROTECT BOTH THE STATE AND THE PUBLIC. THE DEPARTMENT ALSO WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE PEOPLE'S VOLUNTEER BRIGADES TO COMBAT SPECULATION AND MISAPPROPRIATION OF STATE PROPERTY. IMPORTANT DUTIES OF THE MILITIA INCLUDE COMBATING DRUNKENESS, ENFORCING THE PASSPORT REGULATIONS (WHICH IS ALSO A STRONG AID TO TRACKING THOSE WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS), LICENSING THE HANDLING OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, AND ENFORCING MOTOR VEHICLE REGULATIONS. BOTH THE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS DIVISIONS AND THE MOTOR VEHICLE DIVISION HAVE ACTIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE PROPER PROCEDURES AND TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC. THESE SESSIONS ARE ATTENDED BY ALL ENTRUSTED WITH EITHER THE DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES OR WITH THE OPERATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES. THE MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY PROGRAM RECEIVES A GREAT DEAL OF POPULAR SUPPORT. A SPECIAL CHILD WELFARE DIVISION DEALS WITH BOTH THE PROBLEMS OF DELINQUENT YOUTH AND CHILD NEGLECT AND ABUSE. A NEW PROGRAM HAS BEGUN WHICH SETS UP NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS TO TRY TO EDUCATE POTENTIAL CRIMINALS AND TO ENLIST THE PUBLIC'S SUPPORT IN AVOIDANCE OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES. (GLR)