⠀⠀Russia annually celebrates Police Day on November 10. Everyone is well familiar with the comedy role of law enforcement in modern Russian comedies. And how long ago did the image of a policeman penetrate into the cinematic as well as literary canvas? Let’s find out!
⠀⠀Of course, the formation of the cultural image of the police began at a time when it was still called the police. The process of militia formation in Russia originates when the autocratic monarchy was overthrown and the tsarist police were liquidated. In such a difficult revolutionary period for Russia, the first voluntary militia formations appear, and the people’s militia becomes an integral part of the Russian and then Soviet structure. At that time, the police were, indeed, popular: the image of a noble policeman was constantly reflected in the literature and cinema of the USSR, which helped him to firmly strengthen his public consciousness.
⠀⠀In Soviet literature and cinema, the profession of a policeman is a real vocation, not just a job. The policeman was characterised by courage, determination and integrity. His service is labour for the benefit of the Fatherland and the people, in the name of legality and justice. From a young age, children were brought up in the spirit of respect and trust in the police, in connection with which the literary character of the poem for children, written by Sergei Mikhalkov, “Uncle Styopa” became a real national hero, a standard of honour and justice. A kind, strong and brave policeman – it was his example that every child wanted to follow.
⠀⠀But one of the first filmed detective novels was “Sergeant of Militia” by Ivan Lazutin. Although a knightly image of a policeman was created in the novel of the same name, it also openly raises significant problems. The main character Sergeant Nikolai Zakharov really arouses respect among the reader, and later among the viewer: despite his youth and inexperience, he is firm, determined and noblely devoted to service.
⠀⠀Another legendary character from the series of novels by Julian Semenov about the difficult case of a Soviet policeman – an employee of the Moscow Criminal Investigation Department – militia colonel Kostenko is presented to the reader as a courageous and responsible investigator. The Pentalogy tells about the everyday life of the MUR, the specifics of detectives’ work, the difficulties and intricacies in the investigation and disclosure of crimes.
⠀⠀Works of particular interest to the reader were published on the screen of theatres and TVs. Among many: “Petrovka, 38”, “Ogareva, 6” and “Confrontation”. Such a lively promotion of police activities in literature and cinema is quite understandable: repression, war and difficult post-war years in the country have led to the need for particularly active professional work on the part of law enforcement agencies. The work of the police in the post-war period has indeed become much more effective. The authors of works about the Soviet militia, as well as the directors of their film adaptations, sought to create an image of a policeman who is completely devoted to his work and is not afraid of danger. Such law enforcement officers can finally be trusted by a Soviet man who has experienced many hardships and hardships during the years of revolutions and wars. Popularisation of police activities was simply necessary to revive the people’s faith in the future and trust in the state.
⠀⠀Although literature and cinema of the Soviet period often created a slightly idealised image of a law enforcement officer, it did not interfere with the understanding of the complexity of life realities, and, on the contrary, contributed to the understanding of social problems and the possibilities of solving them.
Happy Police Day, our defenders!
Editor: Varvara Kartushina
