Felix Dzerzhinsky , chairman of the GPU , became the OGPU 's first chief .
Thus , on November 15 , 1923 , the Soviet State Political Directorate left the Soviet NKVD and became the all - union Joint State Political Directorate .
Felix Dzerzhinsky , chairman of the GPU , became the Joint State Political Directorate 's first chief .
Thus , on November 15 , 1923 , the Soviet State Political Directorate left the Soviet NKVD and became the all - union Joint State Political Directorate .