Private Police Officer

Categories / City Administration/Police, Prisons
PRIVATE POLICE OFFICER, the police position introduced in 1782. Private police officers headed city units, they were subordinated to the Board of Decency and the Chief Policeman. They supervised block guards, block lieutenants and police watchmen (city guards). Private police officers were appointed by the Provincial Government upon the recommendation of the Chief Policeman, they controlled the order in the unit, monitored basic food prices, the condition of roads, etc.; they investigated inquiries and criminal cases (since 1860 they could only investigate inquiries). In 1867, the position of the private police officer was abolished.

Reference: Высоцкий И. П. Санкт-Петербургская столичная полиция и градоначальство, 1703-1903: Крат. ист. очерк. СПб., 1903. С. 61-62.

Y. N. Kruzhnov. Высоцкий И. П. Санкт-Петербургская столичная полиция и градоначальство, 1703-1903: Крат. ист. очерк. СПб., 1903 Board of Decency