The police in the 90s faced an unprecedented increase in crime, which required a complete restructuring of operational work and the introduction of new tactical patrol schemes. In the context of the collapse of the old system and the formation of a new state, law enforcement officers found themselves at the forefront of the fight against organized groups and economic chaos. It was during this period that the image of a policeman was formed, who, despite the lack of resources and low salaries, risked his life every day to ensure order on the streets of cities.
The period was characterized by an acute shortage of technical equipment, when old car models remained in service VAZ-2106 and VAZ-21099, and communication was often carried out through outdated radio stations. The lack of modern protective equipment and ballistics made the work of task forces extremely dangerous, requiring high personal endurance and ingenuity from the personnel. Reforms launched at the beginning of the decade attempted to adapt the Soviet legacy to the realities of a market economy, but this process was painful and uneven across regions.
By the end of the decade, the structure had undergone significant changes, with new units emerging to combat economic crimes and organized crime. Law “On the Police”, adopted in 1991, became the foundation for a new legal framework defining the rights and responsibilities of employees. Despite all the difficulties, it was during these years that the foundations of professionalism were laid, which allowed the system to survive and transform in the future.
Structural changes and reform of the Ministry of Internal Affairs
The reorganization of the Ministry of Internal Affairs began almost immediately after the collapse of the USSR, when it was necessary to liquidate politicized units and repurpose them for the protection of citizens. Main Directorate of Criminal Investigation (GUUR) There has been a significant restructuring to focus on serious crimes rather than political dissent. Departments for combating ideological sabotage were abolished, and their resources were devoted to the fight against banditry and racketeering.
An important stage was the creation of specialized departments for combating organized crime (UBOP), which received expanded powers and access to operational information. These units became the police elite of the 90s, investigating the activities of major crime bosses. However, their activities were often criticized due to their working methods and accusations of corruption, which created a difficult public atmosphere around the department.
- 🚔 Elimination of political departments and redistribution of personnel potential to criminal investigation.
- 🛡️ Creation of the Organized Crime Control Department to counter organized criminal groups and the mafia.
- ⚖️ Adoption of new legislation regulating the activities of the police in a market economy.
⚠️ Attention: The reforms of the 90s were carried out in conditions of acute budget deficits, which often led to delays in salary payments and a shortage of uniforms for employees.
Details of the 1991 reform
In 1991, the Russian Federation Law “On the Police” was adopted, which for the first time declared the police to serve only the law and the people, and not the ruling party. This radically changed the ideological basis of the work of law enforcement agencies.
Technical equipment and transport fleet
One of the main problems of the police in the 90s remained a critical lag in technical equipment. The vehicle fleet consisted mainly of Soviet developments, such as GAZ-24-10 and Moskvich-2141, which are morally and physically outdated before our eyes. New purchases were carried out rarely and in small quantities, so on the roads you could even see cars confiscated from criminals, which were transferred to the balance of the sites.
Communications also left much to be desired: mobile phones were rare and available only to senior management or special forces. Officers often used personal pagers or public pay phones to coordinate efforts, which slowed response times to calls. Radio channels were often overloaded, and the quality of communication depended on the terrain and weather conditions.
Despite this, the first examples of modern technology were introduced, including imported cars received as humanitarian aid or purchased with foreign exchange reserves. These machines such as Ford Scorpio or Opel Omega, became the flagships of road patrol services in large cities. Below is a table reflecting a typical police fleet of that time:
| Type of equipment | Model | Usage status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patrol car | VAZ-2106 | Massive | The main workhorse of DPS |
| Operational machine | VAZ-21099 | Massive | Used by criminal investigation |
| Conveyor | GAZ-66 | Specialized | For transporting detainees and riot police |
| Executive | GAZ-3102 | Rare | For department management |
Fighting organized crime
The nineties have gone down in history as the heyday of organized crime, when crime bosses openly controlled markets and businesses. The police were forced to switch to active hostilities, conducting large-scale operations to detain members of the organized crime group. Operational search activities required deep penetration into the criminal environment and undercover work.
Employees of the Organized Crime Control Department and OBKhSS (later renamed departments for combating economic crimes) faced serious resistance and corruption connections within the system itself. Criminals often had financial resources that exceeded the budgets of entire departments, which allowed them to hire the best lawyers and corrupt officials. Nevertheless, high-profile operations were carried out, such as “Clean Hands” and others, which made it possible to neutralize the leaders of the criminal world.
- 🔍 Conducting complex operations to infiltrate agents into criminal structures.
- 🔫 Armed arrests of organized crime groups leaders using special means and armored vehicles.
- 💰 Investigation of schemes for legalizing criminal proceeds and money laundering.
⚠️ Attention: The statistics of murders of police officers in the 90s remained one of the highest in the history of the country, which indicates the extreme danger of service during that period.
Main idea: The fight against the mafia in the 90s became the main test for the professionalism of the police, forming a generation of officers with unique combat experience.
Legal framework and Law “On the Police”
The adoption of the Law of the Russian Federation “On the Police” on April 18, 1991 was a turning point that determined the status of law enforcement agencies for decades to come. The document clearly stated that the police are intended to protect the life, health, rights and freedoms of citizens, property, and the interests of society and the state. This was radically different from Soviet norms, where the interests of the state were often considered a priority at the expense of the individual.
The law introduced the concept legal status police officer, defining his rights, responsibilities and social guarantees. For the first time, restrictions were imposed on the service, including a ban on engaging in entrepreneurial activities and membership in political parties. However, the implementation of these norms in practice encountered difficulties in the transition period and imperfection of executive mechanisms.
An important aspect was the regulation of the use of physical force, special means and firearms. The instructions clearly defined cases when the use of weapons was lawful, requiring prior warning if the situation permitted. These standards still form the basis for police action, although they have undergone a number of changes in subsequent years.
Helpful advice: Studying the history of the adoption of the Law “On the Police” helps to understand the logic of modern legal norms and the evolution of the approach to the safety of citizens.
Social status and conditions of service
The social position of a policeman in the 90s was difficult: on the one hand, power and the opportunity to influence the situation, on the other, low wages and lack of social security. Inflation ate up wages, and by the end of the month the money often ran out before the next salary was paid. This forced many employees to look for part-time work or turn a blind eye to minor violations of the law by citizens.
The housing problem remained acute, queues for apartments moved slowly, and departmental housing was often in deplorable condition. Obsolescence personnel was high, staff turnover reached critical levels. Young specialists who came to the authorities after graduating from the academies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs often could not withstand the workload and quit in the first year or two of service.
- 📉 Salaries often did not keep up with the rate of inflation, reducing the real income of employees.
- 🏠 Problems with housing and access to quality medical care.
- 🎖️ Lack of modern benefits and compensation for the risks associated with performing official duties.
☑️ Risk factors of service in the 90s
Legacy of the era and transformation into the police
By the end of the 90s, it became obvious that the accumulated problems required a systemic solution, which resulted in further reforms in the 2000s. The experience gained during the years of chaos allowed us to develop effective methods of fighting crime that are still used today. The police have gone through the crucible of trials, maintaining a core of professionals capable of working in any conditions.
The transformation into the police, which occurred later, became a logical continuation of the processes launched in the early 90s. The name, form and some aspects of the legislation have changed, but the essence of the service - protecting law and order - has remained unchanged. It was in the 90s that the foundation of a modern security system was laid, based on a combination of operational work and preventive measures.
Analyzing that period, one cannot fail to note the resilience of the employees who, despite all the difficulties, continued to serve. Their experience became an invaluable lesson for future generations of law enforcement officers, showing that even in the most difficult conditions it is important to remain human and professional. The history of the police of the 90s is a story of survival and adaptation of the system to the new realities of life.
How did the number of police change in the 90s?
In the early 1990s, police numbers remained high, inherited from the Soviet system, but by the end of the decade there were staff reductions as part of the optimization of budget expenditures. The exact numbers varied from year to year, but the trend was toward fewer personnel while increasing skill requirements.
Why was the police renamed the police?
The renaming of the police took place in 2011 and was intended to symbolize a break with the negative associations of the Soviet and post-Soviet police. The purpose of the reform was to increase public confidence, improve the image of the service and bring the name in line with international terminology.
What uniform did the police have in the 90s?
In the 90s, a Soviet-style uniform of dark blue with red shoulder straps was used, which was gradually supplemented with new elements. At the end of the decade, the transition to uniforms in darker, almost black shades began, as well as the introduction of camouflage for special forces.