The article substantiates the importance of taking into account the specific of national structure in the field of law enforcement, in its regulatory framework as a necessary condition for social stability in a multinational state. The basic directions of activity of militia are shown on the basis of the systematization of a large array of a multidimensional historical and legal material in the context of the implementation of a national policy of the state. Obvious successes, mistakes and failures of militia authorities were identified in the region, the practice training of national militia staff was considered and characterized by complex and contradictory role of the so-called indigenization in line with new historiographical traditions. The author made a critical review of previous evaluation of true extent and intensity of militia’s struggle with illegal actions in the sphere of international relations, detecting their involvement in the repression in 1930s, religious discrimination of Mari people. A number of practical recommendations are made in the article.