From the Concept of the Draft Police Charter of the Russian Empire to Its Structure and Content: Views of Members of the Commission of Senator A.A. Makarov (1906-1917). Part 8. Prevention by the Police of the Russian Empire of Harmful Effects on the Health of the Population and Its Public Morality

The responsibilities of the police of the Russian Empire “to protect public health” are indicated, including measures to ensure the cleanliness of public places, water sources, and the prevention of epidemics and diseases. The content of supervision over compliance with established sanitary rules, encouraging persons who violate such rules to stop illegal activities is revealed. Attention is drawn to a special rule, according to which the police, having perceived the lack of a proper response to the implementation of sanitary rules on the part of authorized officials and institutions, are obliged to report this to the relevant authorities, in order to achieve appropriate supervisory influence. The activities of the police to suppress the illegal trade in poisonous, potent drugs in the absence of special licenses are considered. The illegal establishment of cemeteries was excluded, and when burying the dead, bodies were transported and interred on the basis of mandatory regulations (rules). Some attention is paid to protecting public morality, primarily regarding lewdness and the operation of dens of debauchery. The provisions of certain international legal acts signed by the Russian Empire and which played a certain role in preventing the police from harmful effects on the health of the population and its public morality are briefly presented.