Benefits and Privileges of Police Service in Imperial Russia: Central Asia

Abstract

This article analyzes service benefits and privileges in Tsarist Russia. During the Imperial period, the country developed a complex system of them, both general and specific (regional). They were established by law for the outskirts of the Russian Empire, including those in Central Asia (Russian Turkestan) under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War. The system was also influenced by the experiences of Siberia and the Caucasus. The analysis considers the pension benefits for Turkestan officials, reduced service terms required for retirement, increased payments for relocation to or from the region to central Russian provinces, regular salary increases every five years of service, longer vacations, allowances for children’s education, guaranteed placement of children in educational institutions with paid travel to them, as well as free healthcare and medication for administrative and police officials, etc. It is concluded that all these benefits and privileges attracted more qualified, professionally trained, and experienced personnel to serve in the remote Russian territories of Central Asia.