January 15 - Day of the Russian Investigative Committee: History and Traditions
Every year on January 15, employees of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation (ICR) - specialists whose work is aimed at ensuring legality, justice and public safety - celebrate their professional holiday. In 2025, this date falls on Wednesday. On the history of the creation of the service and the traditions of the celebration read in the material "Izvestia".
Day of the establishment of the Investigative Committee of Russia - the history of the holiday
The creation of the Investigative Committee in 2011 was a necessary stage in the reform of the law enforcement system of our country. Previously, its functions were performed by units within the Prosecutor's Office, but in order to improve the efficiency and independence of investigative actions, it was decided to transfer them to a separate agency.
Today, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation is in charge of investigating crimes of corruption, grave and especially grave crimes against the person, crimes in the tax sphere, as well as a number of crimes committed by and against minors
The holiday in honor of the formation of the Investigative Committee was established in 2012 by a decree of the President of Russia. In 2025, the agency will celebrate the 14th anniversary of its existence as an independent law enforcement structure. However, its history is much richer and deeper.
The first official investigative agency appeared in Russia in 1713 by decree of Peter the Great, who decided to separate it from other state structures. For this purpose, special major's offices were created to investigate especially complex criminal cases, which were subordinate directly to the emperor.
In addition, Peter I implemented a judicial reform, dividing the criminal process into two stages: preliminary investigation and trial. After his death, the independent investigative bodies were abolished, and the functions of crime investigation were transferred to the police chancellery, the detective order, zemstvo courts and boards of wellbeing. However, this led to an increase in corruption.
In the 1860s, during the judicial reform of Alexander II, the institute of court investigators was created to investigate criminal cases under the supervision of justices of the peace. Court investigators were removed from the police force. They were characterized by relative independence and enjoyed great public confidence. This model later formed the basis of the system of military investigators, who were attached to military district courts.
After the October Revolution of 1917, the judicial system was abolished, and investigative bodies became part of almost all law enforcement structures of the state. For this purpose, an investigative department responsible for supervising the investigation of cases was created within the RSFSR Prosecutor's Office.
In the 1930s, investigative functions were concentrated in the hands of the state security agencies (OGPU, then NKVD), which allowed them to be actively used for political repression. After Stalin's death and the reorganization of the NKVD, the investigative bodies returned to the tasks of criminal proceedings.
In 1963, the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR was adopted, which consolidated the status of investigators of the Prosecutor's Office as key executors in the investigation of criminal cases.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, investigative functions remained under the jurisdiction of the Prosecutor's Office. In 2007, by presidential decree, the Investigative Service was established within the Russian Prosecutor's Office, which was given independence in the investigation of cases. And in 2011, the Investigative Committee was established, which received the status of an independent federal body reporting directly to the head of state.
The first chairman of the Investigative Committee was Alexander Bastrykin, who has headed the agency since its creation.
How to celebrate the Education Day of the Investigative Committee of Russia in 2025 - traditions of celebration
On the Day of the formation of the Investigative Committee, both at the state and departmental level, ceremonial meetings are held, during which outstanding employees are presented with awards, certificates of honor and gratitude for professional achievements.
On this day, commemorative events are also held: the leadership and employees of the Investigative Committee pay tribute to their fallen colleagues by laying flowers at memorials. The regional offices of the ICR summarize the results of the year, set tasks for the future, organize concerts, exhibitions, and meetings with veterans.
Congratulations on the Day of Education of the Investigative Committee of Russia
On January 15, congratulations are accepted by employees of the Investigative Committee, veterans of investigative bodies, investigators and criminalists, teachers of higher educational institutions that train specialized specialists. "Izvestia" prepared several examples of warm wishes for the perpetrators of the celebration:
"Dear employees and veterans of the Investigative Committee of Russia! We congratulate you on your professional holiday. Your work is a guarantee of justice, order and protection of citizens' rights. We wish you health and new successes in your service!"
"We congratulate you on the Day of formation of the Investigative Committee! You daily face difficult tasks, but thanks to your dedication and professionalism many crimes are solved and the rights of citizens are protected. We wish you good health, calm everyday life and successful solutions to even the most complicated cases!"
"Dear employees of the Investigative Committee of Russia! We congratulate you on the Day of the ICR formation! Your efforts in the fight against crime deserve deep respect. Let justice prevail in your work, and your professional path will be marked by the gratitude of citizens. Happiness to you, prosperity and confidence in your abilities!"
Earlier "Izvestia" told when and how the Day of the establishment of the communication service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia is celebrated.
