Monaco has the reputation of being one of the safest places in Europe. This isn’t just about its image, but the result of a systematic government policy. Despite its small size and population, the principality has built a model where it’s the modern technology, not the number of officers in the streets that is instrumental.
Monaco Security system structure
According to official data, Monaco has 556 police officers handling over 13,000 calls every year, for its total population of 38,857 – one of the highest per capita ratios in the world.
The Public Security Directorate is responsible for maintaining public order, protecting its citizens and their property and supervising the entire principality’s territory.
According to the latest reports, the Metropolitan Police Division has performed 12,380 operational missions in 2025. It’s not just about routine patrols, but also judicial police functions.
Monaco Police has its specialized and structured units –administrative and metropolitan police, criminal investigations, maritime and aviation control, internal intelligence and service inspection. There is also one special unit in charge of protection of the princely family and overseeing such major events as the Formula-1 Grand PrixTM and the Monaco Yacht Show.
Police officers are both uniformed and civilian – administrative, technical and scientific staff. Eric Arella is in charge of the Monaco Police Department.
The Monaco security system is also organized around multilateral cooperation with international partners and neighbouring France: border controls, data exchange and common operations enhancing overall security.
Video Surveillance
Monaco’s network of video cameras is a precious ally in assuring overall security, outnumbering police officers – about a 1,000 cameras for the total of just 2.08 square kilometres. Strategically placed, cameras operate 24/7, covering virtually all public spaces and responding to emergency situations.
The very first cameras arrived in Monaco in the 1980s. Nowadays, the Principality boasts one of the most technologically advanced surveillance systems in the world.
The Command and Control Center (CSCO) is the centre-piece of the infrastructure, monitoring the situation across the country in real time, coordinating police actions, responding to incidents and ensuring general control of key areas – from streets and ports to major events.
The system records vehicles and reads license plates, automatically checking them with the database and helping identify any wanted vehicles or violations. The UDLA special unit uses drones to survey mass events, control crowds and monitor hard-to-reach areas.
Monaco’s Army is not traditional, but a small and very prestigious military unit—the Princely Carabiniers, Corps des Carabiniers du Prince of approximately 125 men.
The main Carabiniers mission is ensuring the security of the Prince and the Princely Family, including participating in official ceremonies and state events.
The selection process is rigorous and very specific; competition is fierce. The Prince’s elite regiment are athletic handsome young men aged 19 to 27, all of them Monegasque citizens. Candidates go through multistage selection: submitting an application – including medical examinations, physical tests, psychological assessments and interviews. Once selected, the recruits then undergo training where they master discipline, protocol, security and response skills.
New Era Technology and Security
The state-of-the-art headquarters opened in 2024 marked a new era for the Monaco security service. Some 10,000 square metre facility houses the police academy, the Surveillance and Operational Command Center (CSCO) and the duty station.
The headquarters also comprise a new forensic laboratory centre, developed with the participation of the French National Police, a crisis response centre, a modern command centre with an updated video surveillance system and a rooftop drone platform. Strategic priorities for 2026 include a technological upgrade and enhanced international cooperation – implementation of artificial intelligence, development of a unified secure data platform, launch of a facial recognition project and certification of police and forensic units. Monaco continues its cooperation with Interpol and plans to expand the use of Europol tools, particularly in terms of financial crime investigations. Monaco’s bilateral ties with Italy are also being strengthened.
Emergency numbers
If your life is in danger, you are a crime witness or you’ve been robbed, simply dial 17 to call the police. Alternatively, dial 112, the European emergency number, to contact an emergency service.
