In every new dawn, in every peaceful evening, in every smile on the faces of our fellow countrymen, there is something more than just chance. Behind this invisible, yet powerful pulse of security lies a force that has been honing the art of protection and order for over seventy years – since October 29, 1952. A force known as the Security Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Seven decades and three years of continuous development. From the first patrols on the streets of the post-war city to high-tech complexes capable of instantly responding to any threat. This is not just the history of a department – it is a saga of people whose loyalty to duty and readiness for self-sacrifice have become the guarantee of our peace.

"Vitebskiye Vesti" dived into the ocean of their daily feats and strategic plans. Our interlocutor is Police Colonel Sergey Murashkin, the head of the regional department. A man whose determination and vision have been shaping the vector of development of Vitebsk security for five years.

We learned about the current activities, which in themselves are a kaleidoscope of achievements. About technologies and innovations that become loyal allies, turning familiar objects into impregnable outposts. We talked about personnel – not just about a team, but about a living organism where young, bold minds are forged, inheriting invaluable experience from veterans whose wisdom is a compass in any storm. We touched upon interaction with society, where security is a reliable hand, always ready to help. We discussed challenges – those posed by modernity, and how these individuals face them: with a cool head, a warm heart, and nerves of steel.

And believe me, this is the true elite of security, which implements any task set by the head of state with such valor, efficiency, and impeccable quality that it sometimes seems they anticipate the need itself. Get ready to learn about those who are always one step ahead!

— Sergey Sergeyevich, 73 years is not just a number, it is an entire era. Considering the impressive historical path that the Security Department has taken, what are the most striking, even fundamental changes you could highlight?

— This contrast is truly colossal. Just the other day, a former head of the department, retired police colonel Vladimir Efremov, visited us, and we were reminiscing about the times when the non-departmental security was just emerging. He spoke about the conditions in which our predecessors worked. Imagine: a small staff, equipment — one car per unit, motorcycles in some places. The people, of course, were dedicated to their cause, but did not always have the professional training that was required. Not to mention the absolute lack of modern technical means.

What do we see now? Today's Security Department is synonymous with mobility and technological superiority. We have centralized monitoring consoles where all information is received instantly and promptly transmitted to response teams. Modern operational duty services have been established in city units, equipped with the latest technology, with video recording capabilities, which allows for timely information transfer and the most rapid response to any situation.

But technology is just a tool. The main thing is people. Our ranks include certified employees and civilian specialists with rich life experience who conscientiously perform their duties, ensuring access control and inspection procedures at the facilities. They undergo mandatory training, and where necessary, the facilities are equipped with metal detectors and everything that allows for the inspection of hand luggage.

And, of course, the role of our electricians cannot be overestimated. The most important thing depends on their professionalism and the quality of equipment installation – whether the alarm will work at the right moment.

And one more important fact, which also shows our maturity and efficiency: we are a service that is absolutely not funded from the budget. We earn our own salaries, repairs, equipment purchases, and personnel training. This makes us not just executors, but a truly self-sufficient, dynamic, and effective structure.

— Tell us how modern approaches and technical solutions turn an ordinary call into lightning-fast response, and most importantly, with what result?

— When a response team is dispatched to a call, to the scene of an incident – whether it's an alarm activation or information from eyewitnesses via 102 – they arrive within minutes. This is not accidental. Service zones and movement routes are distributed in such a way as to ensure the fastest possible arrival at any protected facility. The officer exits the vehicle fully equipped. And this is the result of continuous training: we conduct planned tactical, physical, and firearms training sessions monthly.

And now, about the technologies that make this responsiveness possible and effective. Each service vehicle is equipped with video recording – car dashcams, plus each employee has a personal body camera. The vehicles are equipped with special tablets that allow for rapid route planning, significantly reducing arrival times.

How does this work in real-time? An alarm signal is received, and the apprehension team immediately gets a task on their tablet. They see the location, time, and optimal route. And while the vehicle is en route, not only are they gearing up – body armor, helmets, weapons, special equipment – but they also receive continuous information support. Duty officers transmit details about the triggered incident: which floor, where the vestibule is, which door.

To date, we have no unsolved thefts from guarded facilities. And what we are truly proud of: 100% of responses to panic buttons at guarded facilities result in apprehension. In total, there have been over 6000 responses to triggered alarm systems since the beginning of the year.

Let me give you a recent example: in the Shumilino district, on the highway, there is a "Hit-Express" store. It's a busy place, people stop by. A taxi parks, two individuals get out, quickly take 14 boxes of chocolates, do not pay, and rapidly drive off towards Polotsk. The sales staff don't notice the theft immediately – there are many customers. Only later, upon discovering the theft, do they press the panic button. But time has already been lost, the car is gone.
And this is where our republican public safety monitoring system comes into play. Thanks to the Monitoring Centers established in each department and division, we receive operational information and begin to respond immediately. We immediately discover that this taxi has already entered Polotsk. We immediately inform our colleagues from the district security department, and they promptly detain the offenders. During the investigation, it is found that these same individuals managed to visit several other stores where thefts were also committed. As a result, a criminal case for theft has been initiated.

— What range of services and activities, besides the protection of facilities and property, allows your department to comprehensively ensure safety and order in the Vitebsk region?

— The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus licenses security activities related to the design, installation, adjustment, and technical maintenance of security systems and devices. In terms of non-licensed security activities, we supervise departmental security of facilities (property) and own employees. That is, if an enterprise decides to create its own security service, our licensing department monitors compliance with all norms and rules. The state must be confident that personnel at business entities that independently secure their facilities will actually perform their functions and not just be listed. This is a matter of systemic security for the entire society.

We also escort cargo. Any business entity can contact us, and we will ensure the escort of valuable or particularly important cargo anywhere in Belarus.

In addition, we provide a wide range of services for the installation and design of security systems. Our team of electricians and engineers, with extensive experience, connects alarms and installs security equipment. We can handle the full cycle – from a professional project that takes into account all legislative requirements to its high-quality implementation.

— The year 2025 has been declared the Year of Improvement. How does the Vitebsk Region Security Department approach this issue?

— We see this as a call to action. This year, we are purposefully working to create the most modern conditions for our service. For example, we have carried out current repairs of the facades of the Chashniki and Dokshitsy security units, premises in the Railway Security Department, and the shooting range of the Novopolotsk Security Department using our own resources. In the Vitebsk Regional Directorate, Pervomaysky, Postavsky, Chashniki, and Senno units, decorative flower beds have been created, and in the Orsha Department, the paving slabs and curbs on the adjacent territory have been replaced. In 2024, current repairs of all premises and furniture replacement were fully completed in the Beshenkovichi, Braslav, and Liozno security departments. Comfortable working and rest conditions have been created there. This includes the renovation of garages for service vehicles, the creation of proper storage facilities for special equipment, and the tidying up of territories. We understand that the conditions in which an employee works directly affect their motivation and efficiency. In addition, we pay great attention to the renewal of our vehicle fleet.

And speaking of the quality of life of our employees, we cannot fail to mention the social support we provide. For instance, another handover of keys for rental housing in Orsha will soon take place. Last year, we built over 100 apartments. Employees receive rental housing after 3-5 years of service.

— We have talked a lot about technical equipment and professionalism. But the question arises: is the Security Department only about guarding facilities and responding to alarm signals, or are your employees ready to help in any situation?

— Our employees do not just patrol their routes; they are the eyes and ears of the public. If a patrol sees a burning car, they immediately rush to extinguish it. If they see smoke, they call the Ministry of Emergency Situations and provide first aid until their arrival. There are many such cases. Another example is in Vitebsk, right on the way to the hospital, a woman went into labor in her car; our guys promptly called doctors, ensured safety, and helped transport the mother and newborn to the medical facility. Thanks to their excellent knowledge of the city and districts, they help find missing children.

We actively participate in ensuring security during the sowing and harvesting campaigns, working together with other services to prevent the theft of grain and fuel. Our employees patrol fields and storage areas, and conduct raids. This is a state task, and we fulfill it without fail.

By the way, our police officer from the Ushachi unit, Dmitry Khadasevich, a wonderful family man and father of many children, took part in the harvesting campaign at KUSHP "Velikodoletskoye". He was assigned a combine harvester, and he harvested 490.5 hectares of grain and leguminous crops, and oilseed rape, and threshed 785 tons of grain and oilseed rape. He took second place in the district, was honored at "Dozhinki" and received a scooter as a gift for his great achievements in the harvesting season.

— Vitebsk is the birthplace of "Slavianski Bazaar". How does your service integrate into the cultural life of the region?

— All the numerous festival venues are traditionally subject to security, and it is we who take them under our control. And, of course, every employee who distinguishes himself at such a responsible event is recognized for positive work results – they are presented with a well-deserved material reward in a solemn ceremony.

But our role at "Slavianski Bazaar" is not limited to security alone. Traditionally, the Security Department participates in the Ministry of Internal Affairs' republican campaign "For Safety – Together!". We coordinate in advance the locations where we set up our tents and stage. And every day at a specific time, spectacular events take place. These include demonstrations by dog handlers and performances by artists.

— Sergey Sergeevich, your answer paints a picture of the Security Department's employees not only as highly skilled professionals but also as active, socially responsible citizens. Tell us more about them.

— Our employees are talented and versatile people. We have many athletes. We are widely represented in all creative events. The "Miss Security Department" competition is held annually. All this shows that our guys and girls do not just perform their duty – they live life to the fullest.

By the way, our military-patriotic club "Vympel" is actively operating in Orsha. The boys and girls there are truly enthusiastic, and perhaps not all of them will choose service, but the most important thing is that they will grow up to be worthy citizens. Incidentally, this year our team took 1st place in the results of the II republican review-competition among military-patriotic clubs and legal classes of the Security Department. We also actively participate in the work of specialized classes created in schools throughout the region, where employees of our units conduct legal education and training.

The work on ensuring safety in educational institutions deserves special attention. Before the start of each academic year, together with other departments, we conduct a thorough inspection of all schools and kindergartens to ensure that all safety conditions are met. This includes the mandatory presence of panic buttons, security alarms, video cameras, and electric locks on emergency exits, fire alarms, as well as monitoring their operability and the proper functioning of all systems.

And, of course, we do not forget about our sponsored institutions. We constantly provide assistance to orphanages and shelters. Moreover, we have a tradition: if a police officer is harmed or suffers damage while apprehending an offender – such incidents, unfortunately, do occur – then financial compensation is directed to charitable purposes. This can be either targeted assistance to orphanages or the purchase of necessary goods for those in need.

— Behind every achievement, behind every innovation, there is a story and experience. What role do the veterans of your service play in this? And what would you like to wish them and the young employees, looking to the future?

— You are absolutely right. All our achievements are unthinkable without the solid foundation laid by our veterans. These are the people who are very important to us and are in high demand at all our events. We always invite them to ceremonial occasions: whether it's handing over apartment keys, celebrating memorable dates, or the Day of Young Employees, when we present service weapons. This is not just a formality; it is a vital continuity of generations. The youth must remember traditions, take the best from the older generation, because this is how a strong society and a strong service are built.

These people – our veterans – have given their health and their best years to the service. Among them are those who survived Chernobyl and went through Afghanistan. The nature of our work is such that while others sleep, we work, serving at night, in shifts. And the veterans know perfectly well what this is like. They performed their tasks in a timely and high-quality manner, and we are immensely grateful to them for this. I want to wish them good health, longevity, and well-being.

And looking to the future, I can confidently say: the security service will continue to develop. The most important thing is to convey a simple but extremely important idea: there is no such thing as too much security! It does not come by itself; it is the result of painstaking work. And our task is to ensure that every resident of the Vitebsk region feels protected, knowing that there is a reliable team nearby, ready to help at any moment.

Historical Background. From the Enthusiasts of the 1920s to the Professionals of the 21st Century

Have you ever wondered what path the security service has taken for your home or business to be reliably protected today? The history of the Vitebsk Regional Department of the Department of Protection is a captivating chronicle of adaptation and development that began long before the alarms we are used to.

Early 20th Century. An Era of Enthusiasm and Self-Organization. It all started after 1917, when Red Guard detachments were spontaneously formed in factories and plants. Their main task was to protect production – machinery, raw materials, products – from chaos. In 1921, with the abolition of industrial police, a unique form emerged – non-departmental police. It adapted to the needs of enterprises: factory, fair, port... It was maintained by the protected facilities themselves, which became a prototype of modern cost accounting. By the 1930s, night watch detachments also appeared, patrolling the city streets on foot, on horseback, and sometimes on motorcycles – a real Vitebsk Western!Mid-20th century. A time of change and official recognition. By the early 1950s, it became clear: a professional, independent, and well-equipped service was needed. And so, on October 29, 1952, the historic shot rang out. A resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the Council of Ministers of the USSR marked the beginning of the non-departmental security service as we know it. The Department of Non-Departmental Security was established under the Ministry of State Security's police administration in the Vitebsk region. The specialized service, aimed at providing a qualitatively new level of protection for the most important facilities, replaced the "departmental watchmen."

Before and after. The early years were not easy. There was no dedicated premises (the non-departmental security service was housed in separate rooms in the basement of the Vitebsk City Executive Committee building), no modern transport, and no adequate technical equipment. But the service grew, matured, and its structure underwent colossal changes – from a modest department to the powerful Vitebsk Regional Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs' Security Department.

Our century. A shield of high technologies. Today, it is no longer just about facility security. It is a whole arsenal of high-tech services. From the familiar protection of apartments and escorting valuables to the installation of complex systems of security television, fire alarms, and control via GSM and radio channels. The Vitebsk Regional Department of the Security Department does not just guard – it thinks ahead, using innovations for your safety.

vitebsk-region.gov.by