Formation of structures for material and technical support of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia: stages of organization and powers (19th – early 21st centuries)

The stages of formation and evolution of organizational and legal structures that provided material and technical support for the activities of the Russian internal affairs bodies from the end of the 18th century to the beginning of the 21st century are examined. The study covers key historical periods – from the pre-revolutionary institutionalization of the Expedition for State Economy and the Department of State Economy, the formation of the Economic Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Empire, to the reorganizations of the Soviet and post-Soviet times, culminating in the creation of the Department for Material, Technical and Medical Support of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. Special attention is given to the legal consolidation of the functions of the relevant units, the normative basis for their activities, and institutional continuity within the framework of various models of public administration. Based on the analysis of normative legal acts, organizational structures, and functional powers, the stages of centralization, decentralization, and the subsequent restoration of a unified supply system within the Ministry of Internal Affairs have been identified. It has been established that modern approaches to material and economic support in internal affairs bodies are based on historically established principles of legal regulation, which allows for ensuring the stability and effectiveness of the law enforcement system’s functioning in modern conditions.