Policemen of the Tsar: Local Police in an Age of Upheaval

The police in Russia were founded by Peter the Great in 1718 and were key instruments of tsarist power. In the reign of Alexander II, local police forces took on new importance, but the liberation of 23 million serfs, growing fear of crime, and terrorist violence challenged law enforcement. This book describes the regimes decades-long struggle to reform and strengthen the police, considering how systemic weaknesses undermined tsarist rule, impeded liberalizing reforms, perpetuated reliance on the military, and gave rise to vigilante justice.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2022
Publisher: Central European University Press

Founded by Peter the Great in 1718, Russia's police were crucial instruments of tsarist power. In the reign of Alexander II (1855-1881), local police forces assumed new importance. The liberation of 23 million serfs from landlord control, growing fear of crime, and the terrorist violence of the closing years challenged law enforcement with new tasks that exacerbated an already staggering burden.

This book explores the regimes' decades-long struggle to reform and strengthen the police. The author examines the local police's role and performance in the mid-nineteenth century and the implications of the largely unsuccessful effort to transform them. From a longer-term perspective, the study considers how the police's systemic weaknesses undermined tsarist rule, impeded a range of liberalizing reforms, perpetuated reliance on the military to maintain law and order, and gave rise to vigilante justice.

While its primary focus is on European Russia, the analysis also covers much of the imperial periphery, discussing the police systems in the Baltic Provinces, Congress Poland, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Siberia.

The police played a central role in the tsarist regime's efforts to control and maintain order in Russia. Under Peter the Great, the police were established as a centralized institution to enforce the tsar's laws and maintain public safety. However, the police were often corrupt and inefficient, and their role in suppressing dissent and maintaining the status quo was contentious.

During Alexander II's reign, the police underwent significant reform efforts. The government introduced new laws and regulations aimed at improving the efficiency and professionalism of the police force. Local police forces were also given more autonomy and responsibility, allowing them to handle local issues more effectively.

Despite these reforms, the police remained a powerful tool of the tsarist regime. They were used to suppress dissent, maintain the status quo, and control the population. The police were also involved in a range of illegal activities, including extortion, torture, and murder.

One of the most significant challenges facing the police during Alexander II's reign was the liberation of 23 million serfs from landlord control. The serfs had been enslaved for centuries and were subjected to harsh conditions and exploitation. The liberation of the serfs led to a surge in land ownership and a decline in the power of the landlords.

The police were tasked with ensuring that the serfs were properly registered and accounted for, and that they were not subjected to any abuse or exploitation. However, the police were often corrupt and inefficient, and they were often used to harass and intimidate the serfs. The serfs also faced a range of challenges, including discrimination and poverty, which made it difficult for them to integrate into society.

Another challenge facing the police during Alexander II's reign was the growing fear of crime. The population of Russia was growing rapidly, and the crime rate was increasing. The police were tasked with ensuring that the public was safe and secure, but they were often unable to keep up with the demand. The police were also often corrupt and inefficient, and they were often used to harass and intimidate the public.

The police were also involved in a range of terrorist activities, including bombings and assassinations. These activities were often carried out by groups opposed to the tsarist regime, and the police were often used to suppress them. However, the police were also often unable to prevent these activities, and they were often blamed for the violence that occurred.

In conclusion, the police played a central role in the tsarist regime's efforts to control and maintain order in Russia. The police were often corrupt and inefficient, and they were often used to suppress dissent and maintain the status quo. The liberation of 23 million serfs from landlord control, growing fear of crime, and the terrorist violence of the closing years challenged law enforcement with new tasks that exacerbated an already staggering burden. Despite reform efforts, the police remained a powerful tool of the tsarist regime, and they were often involved in illegal activities. The study of the police in Russia during this period is important for understanding the history of the country and the challenges that it faced.

Weight: 484g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789633865750