View source for Public Services (Monaco)

{{Short description|Military force of Monaco}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2016}}

{{Infobox national military
| name               = Public Force
| native_name    = {{native name|fr|La Force publique}}
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| motto              = 
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| current_form       = 
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| branches           = {{ubl|[[Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince]]|[[Corps des Sapeurs-Pompiers de Monaco]]}}
| headquarters       = 
| website            = <!--{{URL|example.mil}}-->
<!-- Leadership -->
| commander-in-chief = [[Albert II, Prince of Monaco|Albert II]]
| commander-in-chief_title = [[Monarchy of Monaco|Commander-in-Chief]]
| chief minister     = 
| chief minister_title = 
| minister           = [[Patrice Cellario]]
| minister_title     = [[Department of the Interior (Monaco)|Minister of the Interior]]
| commander          = [[Colonel]] Tony Varo<ref>{{Cite web |title=FORCE PUBLIQUE |url=https://cloud.gouv.mc/webweb/Annuoff.nsf/(ListCh)/739BA04DF7376FD5C12571F50030E6AA!OpenDocument |access-date=2022-10-09 |website=cloud.gouv.mc |language=fr}}</ref>
| commander_title    = Superior Commander of the Public Services
<!-- Manpower -->
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| conscription       = None
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| active             = 250
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}}

[[File:Monaco-military-02.JPG|thumb|right|A member of the Prince's Company on guard at the Prince's Palace]]

The '''Public Force''' ({{langx|fr|link=no|La Force Publique}})<ref name=force>{{cite web|url=https://cloud.gouv.mc/webweb/Annuoff.nsf/(ListCh)/739BA04DF7376FD5C12571F50030E6AA!OpenDocument|title=Annuaire Officiel - Force Publique|publisher=Government of Monaco|access-date=14 February 2020 }}</ref> are the military force of [[Monaco]]. However, the country has a very limited military capability and depends almost entirely upon its larger neighbour, [[France]], for defence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://geography.about.com/cs/countries/a/smallcountries.htm|title=17 Small Countries of Less Than 200 Square Miles|author=Matt Rosenberg|work=About|access-date=23 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.monaco.alloexpat.com/monaco_information/military_monaco.php|title=Military in Monaco, Monaco Defense – Allo' Expat Monaco|access-date=23 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202031705/http://www.monaco.alloexpat.com/monaco_information/military_monaco.php|archive-date=2 December 2014|url-status=usurped|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In total, there are over 250 people employed as military personnel in some form.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110722172840/http://www.pompiers.gouv.mc/321/wwwnew.nsf/1909%21/x3Fr?OpenDocument&3Fr Les moyens]. gouv.mc</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20111113162612/http://www.gouv.mc/devwww/wwwnew.nsf/1909%24/CBCAFB1DB7FD6CA0C1256F8F00348D7EFR?OpenDocument&4FR Carabiniers du Prince (Compagnie des)]. gouv.mc</ref> There is no [[conscription in Monaco]].

Its branches are the [[Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince]] and the [[Corps des Sapeurs-Pompiers de Monaco]].

==Command==
The Public Services are under the joint command of the ''Supreme Commander of the Public Services'' ({{langx|fr|link=no|Le Commandant supérieur de la Force publique}}), currently Colonel Tony Varo.<ref name=force/>

Under the chief commander, each of the two principal military corps is headed by a ''Chief of the Corps'',<ref name=force/> who holds the rank of commandant or lieutenant colonel, according to personal seniority. The military band is commanded by the ''Chief of the Orchestra'', with the rank of commandant.<ref name=force/>

==Border patrol and patrol boats==
Some military roles are assigned to the civil police, such as border patrol and border defence, which are the responsibility of a special police unit officially named the "Maritime and Heliport Police Division," and which operates on land and sea using patrol boats and high-speed surveillance boats.<ref>See [http://www.gouv.mc/devwww/wwwnew.nsf/1909$/273078dc8df7f8afc1256f82004c3f6fgb?OpenDocument&4Gb Public Safety Pages] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091114082324/http://www.gouv.mc/devwww/wwwnew.nsf/1909$/273078DC8DF7F8AFC1256F82004C3F6FGB?OpenDocument&4GB |date=14 November 2009 }} of the Monaco Government's official website.</ref> Four patrol boats are operated by the Corps des Sapeurs-Pompiers (fire-fighters) and the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince (prince's bodyguards).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Valpolini |first=Paolo |date=2020-10-20 |title=Monaco Maritime Police Patrol Vessel launched |url=https://www.edrmagazine.eu/monaco-maritime-police-patrol-vessel-launched |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=EDR Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Specialisation |url=https://carabiniers.gouv.mc/en/organisation/specialisation |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=carabiniers.gouv.mc |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Military branches==
Two full-time militarised armed [[corps]] exist under the operational direction of the chief commander, and the political control of the Department of the Interior. One is the [[Corps des Sapeurs-Pompiers de Monaco]], and the other is the [[Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince]]. Both units are part of both military and [[civil defence]] plans and are key to the "ORMOS Red Plan" which makes provision for the evacuation of Monaco in case of [[natural disaster]], or civil emergency.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Missions |url=https://carabiniers.gouv.mc/en/missions |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=carabiniers.gouv.mc |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Presse économique monégasque |url=https://www.monaco-economie.com/le-plan-or-mo-se-a-pour-objectif-dapporter-une-reponse-a-toutes-les-crises/ |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=Monaco Economie - Davidson |language=fr-FR}}</ref>

===Corps des Sapeurs-Pompiers===
[[File:Fourgon incendie Pompiers de Monaco.JPG|thumb|Fire appliance of the Monégasque firefighters]]
Describing itself as a military force,<ref>See the [http://www.pompiers.gouv.mc/321/wwwnew.nsf/1909!/x1Fr?OpenDocument&1Fr official website of the Corps des Sapeaurs-Pompiers] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206010807/http://www.pompiers.gouv.mc/321/wwwnew.nsf/1909%21/x1Fr?OpenDocument&1Fr |date=6 December 2013 }} title pages.</ref> the Corps consists of 10 officers, 26 non-commissioned officers and 99 other ranks (with 25 civilian employees), providing fire, hazardous materials, rescue, and emergency medical services.<ref>See [http://www.pompiers.gouv.mc/321/wwwnew.nsf/1909$/11c26caa11ded1a6c12571a2004c3e23fr?OpenDocument&3Fr these pages] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025132454/http://www.pompiers.gouv.mc/321/wwwnew.nsf/1909$/11c26caa11ded1a6c12571a2004c3e23fr?OpenDocument&3Fr |date=25 October 2008 }} for personnel strength and rank structure.</ref> The officers' ranks (in descending order of seniority) are: Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commandant, Captain, Lieutenant, and Sub-Lieutenant. There are a further nine ranks of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel. Officers generally have served in the French military's fire service. Based at two barracks (one in [[La Condamine]] and one in [[Fontvieille, Monaco|Fontvieille]]), the Corps is equipped with fire engines, rescue vehicles and a range of specialist vehicles, including a fire boat and sealed tracked vehicles for entering Monaco's railway tunnels during an emergency.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Povey |first=Ross |date=2025-05-20 |title=Monaco’s fire brigade unveils new badge steeped in history and pride |url=https://news.mc/2025/05/20/monacos-fire-brigade-unveils-new-badge-steeped-in-history-and-pride/ |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=NEWS.MC - Monaco News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Monaco Fire and Emergency Service receives the Chief of Staff of the Southern Defence and Security Zone in France |url=https://en.gouv.mc/Princely-Governement/News/The-Monaco-Fire-and-Emergency-Service-receives-the-Chief-of-Staff-of-the-Southern-Defence-and-Security-Zone-in-France |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=en.gouv.mc}}</ref>

Beyond fire-fighting duties, the Corps has an extensive civil defence brief. Its personnel are trained in the use of firearms, and the Corps has a central armoury. Personnel are trained to handle chemical incidents, and have specialist chemical incident vehicles and equipment. They are also equipped with ambulances and personnel have [[paramedic]] training.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=The Monaco Fire and Emergency Service was created on 9 June 1909, and it constitutes the Military Force with the Palace Guards. |url=https://monservicepublic.gouv.mc/en/directory-of-government-departments/ministry-of-interior/the-fire-emergency-service |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=monservicepublic.gouv.mc |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Fire and Emergency Service |url=https://en.gouv.mc/Government-Institutions/The-Government/Ministry-of-Interior/Fire-and-Emergency-Service |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=en.gouv.mc}}</ref>

[[File:Monaco-military-01.JPG|thumb|right|An enlisted soldier (left) and a commissioned officer (right) of the Prince's Carabiniers]]

===Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince===
Literally translated "Company of [[Carabinier]]s of the Prince", the English-language version of the official Government website translates the name as "The Palace Guards".<ref name=Guards/> The force was established in 1817 by [[Honoré V, Prince of Monaco|Prince Honoré]], administrator on behalf of his father, [[Prince Honoré IV]]. Originally an infantry unit, in 1904 they replaced the previous (now disbanded) "Guard Company" as the official Palace Guard of the royal family.<ref name=Guards/>

The Company is of a similar size to the Corps des Sapeurs-Pompiers. At the summer of 2020 the Government reported the total strength of the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince as 124, consisting of 3 commissioned officers, 24 non-commissioned officers, and 97 enlisted men (with another 14 civilian employees).<ref name=Guards>{{cite web |url = https://en.gouv.mc/Portail-du-Gouvernement/Government-Institutions/The-Government/Ministry-of-Interior/The-Palace-Guards |title = The Palace Guards |publisher = Government of Monaco |access-date = 22 June 2020 }}</ref> Each officer has trained and served with the French military. Its primary duty is the defence of the prince and the [[Prince's Palace of Monaco|Prince's Palace]] in the [[Monaco City|Monaco-Ville]] (old town) quartier of Monaco. By extension, it also has a role in guarding members of the judiciary, who administer justice in the name of the prince.

There are a number of specialist units within the Compagnie des [[Carabiniers]] du Prince, which include a motorcycle section (for rapid-response and motorcycle outriding); a bodyguard and protection unit; a diving unit with military, rescue and scientific capabilities; and a military [[First aid|first-aid]] unit that provides first aid and ambulance cover at public and sporting events.<ref>A list of specialist units may be found on the [http://www.gouv.mc/devwww/wwwnew.nsf/1909$/cbcafb1db7fd6ca0c1256f8f00348d7egb?OpenDocument&4Gb official website of the Government] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124174928/http://www.gouv.mc/devwww/wwwnew.nsf/1909%24/cbcafb1db7fd6ca0c1256f8f00348d7egb?OpenDocument&4Gb |date=24 November 2007 }} in the Dept of the Interior section.</ref>

The ceremonial "[[guard mounting|changing of the guard]]" at 11:55{{nbsp}}am each day attracts large numbers of tourists. The ceremony is more than just a tourist spectacle, as this small military force is the front line of defence of the Monegasque princely family.

===L'Orchestre militaire===
Despite its title of "military orchestra", this section, which is attached to the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince, provides a full range of military music, including an orchestra, a ceremonial marching band, and state trumpeters, under the command of a Chef de l'Orchestre, with the rank of Commandant (Major).<ref name=force/> The band was established in 1978 and consists of 24 soldiers.<ref name=Guards/>

==Rank and insignia==
[[File:Nel van Vliet and Hannie Termeulen 1947.jpg|thumb|A Monegasque soldier posing with Dutch Olympic swimmers [[Nel van Vliet]] and [[Hannie Termeulen]] at the [[1947 European Aquatics Championships]]]]

===Commissioned officer ranks===
The rank insignia of [[commissioned officer]]s.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince |url=https://www.uniforminsignia.net/compagnie-des-carabiniers-du-prince,2081.html |access-date=2025-11-16 |website=www.uniforminsignia.net |language=en}}</ref>
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/Monaco}}
|}

===Other ranks===
The rank insignia of [[non-commissioned officer]]s and [[Enlisted rank|enlisted personnel]].<ref name=":0" />
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Monaco}}
|}

==Department of the Interior==
The Département de l’Intérieur (Department of the Interior) of the Principality of Monaco is headed by a Government Counsellor–Minister appointed by the Albert II, Prince of Monaco. The Department is responsible for public security, civil protection and the oversight of the national police (Sûreté Publique) and other internal security services.<ref>{{Cite web |title=EVALUATION REPORT |url=https://rm.coe.int/grecoeval5rep-2023-8-final-eng-evaluation-report-monaco-public/1680b0fc13 |access-date=16 November 2025 |website=rm.coe.int}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Police Department |url=https://en.gouv.mc/Government-Institutions/The-Government/Ministry-of-Interior/Police-Department |access-date=2025-11-16 |website=en.gouv.mc}}</ref>

Ministers of the Department of the Interior ({{lang|fr|conseiller de gouvernement pour l'Intérieur}}):
* [[Philippe Deslandes]] (2001−2006)
* [[Paul Masseron]] (2006–2011)
* [[Patrice Cellario]] (2015–2024)<ref name="monacohebdouneimmense">{{cite news|last1=Brun|first1=Raphael|title=Patrice Cellario : " Une immense responsabilité "|url=http://www.monacohebdo.mc/15918-patrice-cellario-%E2%80%89une-immense-responsabilite|accessdate=December 26, 2016|work=[[Monaco Hebdo]]|date=May 27, 2015}}</ref><ref name="departement">{{cite web|title=Département de l'Intérieur|url=http://www.gouv.mc/Gouvernement-et-Institutions/Le-Gouvernement/Departement-de-l-Interieur|website=Gouvernement Princier|publisher=Principauté de Monaco|accessdate=December 26, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Lionel Beffre]] (from 2024)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mettey |first1=Noël |title=Lionel Beffre, new Minister of the Interior |url=https://lagazettedemonaco.com/en/news/politique/lionel-beffre-nouveau-conseiller-de-gouvernement-ministre-de-linterieur-en |access-date=27 January 2025 |work=La Gazette de Monaco |date=6 August 2024}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=The Minister of Interior |url=https://en.gouv.mc/Government-Institutions/The-Government/Ministry-of-Interior/The-Minister-of-Interior |access-date=2025-11-16 |website=en.gouv.mc}}</ref>

==References==
{{commons category|Military of Monaco}}
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.gouv.mc/Gouvernement-et-Institutions/Le-Gouvernement/Departement-de-l-Interieur Department of the Interior official site]
*[http://www.pompiers.gouv.mc/ Corps des Sapeurs-pompiers Official site]

{{Monaco topics}}
{{Military of Europe}}
{{Military ranks by country}}

[[Category:Military of Monaco| ]]