In May 2018, in the historical center of Tula, right next to the walls near the Kremlin and the tower of the Pyatnitsky Gate, a Monument to the city officer was unveiled. The unveiling of this city sculpture was timed to coincide with the 300th anniversary of the Russian police. Similar sculptures have been installed in other cities of Russia in Serpukhov, Nizhny Novgorod, Kaluga, Omsk, etc.

The policeman was subordinate to the district warden (city police official), who was in charge of the precinct. According to the “Table of Ranks” the policeman corresponded to the lowest 14th point. The maintenance of the townspeople was carried out at the expense of the city budget. In summer, the policemen wore a light-colored linen tunic without pockets, belted with a drawstring belt and a long double-breasted tunic. In winter – a woolen tunic or double-breasted uniform, as well as hoods, and sometimes sheepskin coats. Black hats (round lamb hats) were worn on their heads.

A nickel-plated ribbon was attached to the crown of the policeman’s cap, on which the policeman’s number was pierced, and above the ribbon was the city’s coat of arms. A badge was fastened on the left chest, which indicated the street number of the policeman, the number and name of the site and the city. The policeman was armed with a revolver with a soldier’s saber (popularly called a “herring”).

From the history

The salary of the police was 150 rubles. a year, slightly higher than the wages of workers. Veterans of the city service could receive up to 180 rubles a year. 25 rubles were allocated from the treasury for equipment and uniforms. in year. “The most useful tool in the fight against criminals, terrorists and revolutionaries” was the whistle.

According to the law of the Russian Empire, 1 policeman was relied on for 500 people. The duties of the police included monitoring the order on the street, controlling the distribution of newspapers, monitoring order in drinking establishments, checking street lamps, and also the policemen were responsible for traffic rules, removing beggars from the streets, and controlling garbage disposal.

Another policeman had to be able to provide first aid and know how to act in case of fires, he had to know the names of homeowners, addresses of nearby doctors, midwives, etc. The rules and duties of the policeman were so extensive that after the 1917 revolution, the police formed together , took them as a basis for drawing up new instructions.

The policeman’s service was also deadly. The policemen took part in various police operations – escorting detainees, arresting criminals, etc. In February 1917, the policemen were the first victims of the crowd who saw them as servants of the tsarist regime. After February, many policemen left the service. Some joined the Revolution, some did not. Most were just trying to ride out the hard times.

About the Monument to the city officer

The site of the monument to the policeman in Tula is not accidental. This street was very busy in the late 19th – early 20th centuries. It housed Gostiny Dvor, a drinking house, taverns, dozens of shops. Unrelenting control from the policeman was required constantly.

Marina Logunova became the author of the sculpture of the policeman. She studied photographs and drawings of the early 20th century, consulted with museum specialists. A special tunic was sewn for the model’s posing. It took 600 kg to create a working model. clay and 3 months.

Tula policeman has serial number 77. To create the sculpture for Marina Logunova, 2 people posed. The figure was molded from a Cossack, and the face from another man. The policeman is depicted next to the boy. In his eyes we see admiration for the policeman’s bearing, saber and pistol. He seems to imitate law enforcement. He also walks and holds his hand at the waist.

According to the idea of ​​the sculpture, the policeman could say something friendly to the boy a second earlier. This is evidenced by a half turn of the head and a smile, which is directed precisely towards the child. The policeman is in a hurry and cannot be distracted from his duties. The monument to the city governor was made at the “Litart” enterprise in Zhukovsky, near Moscow.