On Monday, October 27, H.S.H. Princess Charlene, accompanied by her brother Mr. Gareth Wittstock, attended the introduction of the new Canine Brigade at the recently refurbished headquarters of the Directorate of Public Security.
The presentation was held in the presence of Mr. Lionel Beffre, Government Advisor–Minister of the Interior; Mr. Éric Arella, Director of Public Security; members of the General Staff; and several figures from the Principality.
The creation of this specialized unit within the Urban Police Division, completed at the end of 2024, was initiated and supported by Princess Charlene. The establishment of the brigade reflects her strong belief in the value of trained police dogs as an effective asset in public safety operations.
During her visit, Princess Charlene was given an overview of the brigade’s roles, mission programs, and equipment. She also observed a field demonstration highlighting the dogs’ operational skills and teamwork with their handlers.
A formal ceremony followed in the Salon d’Honneur, during which the Princess emphasized that public security remains a key element of life in Monaco. She expressed her appreciation for the dedication of the officers and underlined the importance of adapting to new challenges through modern methods and technology, as illustrated by the formation of the canine unit.
Princess Charlene also acknowledged the cooperation established between the Public Security Department and the Monaco Animal Protection Society, which she chairs. Through this partnership, the unit’s dogs can be accommodated and cared for at the Peille shelter during periods when their handlers are unavailable.
The event concluded with Princess Charlene presenting official police identification cards and badges to the dog handlers.
