How many divisions do you have in your organization and what are your main functions and missions?
Article I of the statutes of La Force Publique defines the missions of the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince as follows:
- To ensure Our security, to guard the Palace, its outbuildings, Our properties or residences and to provide Us with services of honour.
- Ensure the enforcement of laws and participate in the maintenance of public order.
- Carry out the missions ordered by Us.
The Palace Guard is our main mission. We ensure the safety of His Serene Highness the Sovereign Prince and the Princely Family by providing perimeter security, surveillance and screening of persons authorised to enter the Palace and fire safety.
The Guard lasts 24 hours and begins each day at 11.55 am with the ceremonial handover.
The mission of the Prince's Carabinieri Company is to provide honorary services.
It is mobilised during ceremonial events at the Prince's Palace such as official visits, letters of credence, taking up arms or receptions.
She is also called upon to travel to the Principality for specific events such as the Feast of Saint Devote (Patron Saint of Monaco), the return of the Courts, military tribute ceremonies or to pay tribute to a deceased person.
The security drivers carry out Official Exits or accompany Members of the Sovereign Family. Regular and specific training is required to remain operational.
The Prince's Carabinieri Company also has a platoon of motorcyclists responsible for the daily delivery of mail from the Palace and escorts of H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince, the Princely Family or Heads of State visiting the Principality.
Since 1978, the underwater divers of the Prince's Carabinieri Company have been reinforcing the maritime safety of the Principality's four kilometres of coastline, particularly during the many nautical activities that take place in Monegasque waters.
The IT, Communications and Operational Communications Department was set up in February 2010. Its mission is to provide technical and operational support for the command post of the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince.
The communication department promotes the image of the Prince's Carabinieri Company. It uses traditional media such as radio, television and the written press, as well as digital media in various forms: website, social networks.
The Human Resources Management Office draws up the schedules of the various departments. It centralises the directives of the Prince's Palace and the Head of Corps and then coordinates the human resources required to carry out the various missions.
Administrative and Financial Service.
The Weapons, Training and Shooting Unit provides overall training for the Carabinieri in the field of shooting as well as the maintenance of skills for the handling and maintenance of individual and collective weapons.
Professional Practice in Intervention, they put into situation and contextualise interventions in compliance with the legal conditions for the use of force.
The Administrative and Judicial Police Unit ensures that the legal framework of the police missions assigned to the Unit's personnel in their role as "PRIMO INTERVENER" is respected. They provide training (initial and ongoing) for the Unit's staff and update official texts and directives.
The first aid speciality is responsible for level 1 (PSE1) and level 2 (PSE2) first aid team training and the annual refresher course in first aid.
Fire safety is part of the Prince's Carabinieri's initial and ongoing training. The management of crisis situations, the understanding and analysis of the seriousness and risks as well as the possible operating means are some of the fundamental aspects on which our instructors are trained.
The mission of the Recruitment and Training Office is to prepare the written, oral and sports tests of the competition, the administrative management of the files and the final selection of the future Prince's Carabinieri. It then trains the Carabinieri students and monitors their knowledge on an ongoing basis.
The Carabinieri of the Sports section are responsible for setting up training sessions with the aim of maintaining the Carabinieri's physical condition.
The Prince's Carabinieri Company has a large number of corps d'état who maintain the barracks and guarantee a certain autonomy to the Unit. Military plumbers, masons, painters, carpenters, electricians and engravers take part in the daily maintenance of the premises. The mission of the Company's garage is the maintenance, upkeep and cleaning of the vehicle fleet. The personnel that make it up are trained as mechanics or bodywork specialists.
How do you get the prestigious position of "Carabiniere du Prince", what is the recruitment process and which skills are important? Is there an age limit?
In order to apply, the applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Be of French nationality
- Be between 19 and 27 years of age inclusive
- Unmarried (marriage is allowed at the end of the one-year probationary period)
- Strictly measure between 1.80m and 2.00m (exceptionally, depending on the skills required, derogatory measures could apply)
- Be in excellent health and have good visual acuity
- Know how to swim
- No visible tattoos
- Hold a driving licence (B)
The admission tests take place over five days during which the candidate undergoes medical and psychological tests, interviews and a behavioural test.
Within the limit of available posts, the selection board decides on the final ranking in order of merit. New carabinieri are incorporated after approval by H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince.
Incorporation takes place on 1st February each year (date given as an indication).
Upon induction, the young Carabiniere signs an initial five-year contract which is only validated after a four-month period of instruction and a confirmation period during which aptitude and motivation are checked. This confirmation normally takes place after one year, but may be extended by one or even two probationary years.
By successive five-year appointments, Carabinieri may continue their career until the age of 50 or even 58, provided they continue to meet all the conditions of aptitude.
A number of Carabinieri are promoted on the basis of merit, enabling them to move up through the ranks.
I'm always amazed by the diversity of your repertoire as a musical group under the orders of the Marshal of the Logis Chef, do you give concerts abroad? How has Covid-19 affected your daily activity?
Today, whether they are invited to perform as a jazz Big-Band on the stage of the "Jazz à Juan" festival or to perform at the "Edinburgh Military TATTOO" in Scotland in 2017 as well as at the "Moscow Red Square Festival" in 2018, the Carabinieri musicians, under the direction of Major Olivier DREAN, never forget that their primary mission remains and will remain to ensure the safety and well-being of their Sovereign.
Current composition of 23 musicians. Trumpets, trombones, saxophones (alto, tenor, baritone), bass and drums.
Repertoire: traditional military/monegasque, jazz, variety, funk.
Representation of the Company through numerous national and international performances.
Finally, tell us if you and your colleagues have seen the recent exhibition of "MONACO Filmed PORTRAITS" by photographer Charles Freger (where the artist presented your famous profile of the Prince's Carabinieri among other creative portraits of the Principality).
We had participated in the work of the photographer Charles FREGER "Photographic Portraits and Uniforms" started in the early 2000s. It is therefore with pleasure and enthusiasm that we participated in this project. Mr Charles FREGER immediately recognised, despite the mask and uniform, the Carabinieri who had had the honour of being photographed more than fifteen years ago. Many Carabinieri went to visit this exhibition where we were able to admire all the series and recognise many people.
This interview is part of Rosemont Art Advisory's monthly newsletter. To receive our newsletter, or for more information, please contact Karolina Blasiak, Art Advisor at k.blasiak@rosemont-mc.com
Pictures: Legendary US Air Force and it’s Drill Team, which performed at the Prince’s Palace in 2019 to honor the Memory of Princess Grace during the National Day of Monaco.