Romania Romanian RPR State Security/Police Medal

[Guest Rick Research]

This is clearly modelled after the Soviet "Public Order" Medal-- which was for normal civil police-- the "militia."

I'm uncertain whether "State Security"--as this always seems to be described, is actually the Romanian KGB only or if Romanian "State Security" was like the earlier Soviet NKVD and included what would be regular civil police, fire, AND "secret" police?

[Guest Rick Research]

Since the ribbon backing plate on this is also tarnished white metal, I guess it is not actually silver, but some sort of German-silver alloy?

[Anatoly13]

Not silver.

[Paul R]

I have not seen one of these before. Congrats Rick!

[Guest Rick Research]

Here is a 1st type Soviet Medal for Distinguished Service in the Preservation of Public Order, 16 Republics state seal (on the REVERSE ) and real silver:

This seems to be the direct inspiration for the Romanian Medal-- though at least they put the attractive side UP!

I have NEVER seen the Soviet medal awarded to anyone other than normal police personnel, making me wonder whether Romanian "State Security" is perhaps too broad a term.

[Anatoly13]

Rick, this romanian medal is as low part of this order

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=27208

There re not special police order in the USSR.

[Carol I]

I'm uncertain whether "State Security"--as this always seems to be described, is actually the Romianian KGB only or if Romanian "State Security" was like the earlier Soviet NKVD and included what would be regular civil police, fire, AND "secret" police?

The full name (in later years) was Departamentul Securităţii Statului (Department of State Security) and it was the secret police. It had little to do with the regular police (I would not call it civil police as it was quite militarised). The full relations between the two were not quite clear due to the secrecy that characterised the regime and especially the activities of the former, but much had been written on this in recent years.

[Guest Rick Research]

Thanks for that clarification!

I wasn't sure if these also were awarded to a "normal" police branch or ONLY the other kind.

[Carol I]

Thanks for that clarification!

I wasn't sure if these also were awarded to a "normal" police branch or ONLY the other kind.

I do not know if it was really a clarification. To muddy the waters I would add that it happened that high ranking militia (police) officers were also officers of the State Security Department. Furthermore, State Security Troops were a military corps that took over the duties of the gendarmerie (the military police) of the older times.

[Guest Rick Research]

I had decided I would try collecting RPR and not RSR, but I couldn't resists this one:

[Guest Rick Research]

Side by side:

[Stogieman]

OK, I'll ask the embarassing question....

The difference between RPR & RSR is?????????

(Sorry!)

[Carol I]

OK, I'll ask the embarassing question....

The difference between RPR & RSR is?????????

(Sorry!)

RPR=Republica Populară Rom?nă (Romanian People's Republic) (1947-1965)

RSR=Republica Socialistă Rom?nia (Socialist Republic of Romania) (1965-1989)

In 1965 with Ceauşescu's accession to power, the state changed its official name.

[Stogieman]

Ceauşescu Now there;s a name from the past that many will rue......