Hello Monaco #15 Summer–Autumn 2022 | Page 65

JUBILEE
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after Albert ’ s death as we celebrate him in this special centenary year in his memory , we also celebrate our safety which rests on the shoulders of the Department of Public Security ( Sûreté Publique ) created by him 120 years ago .
By Sovereign Ordinance No . 971 of June 23 , 1902 , published in the Journal de Monaco in 1902 , Prince Albert I abolished “ the Police Department ” and established “ a Department of Public Security ” within the Government .
THE PRINCIPALITY ’ S POLICE UNDER PRINCE CHARLES III
Richard Marangoni , Controller General of Public Security
This new State service , was commanded by a director exercising his functions under the immediate authority of the Governor General . He had under his direct orders “ a central commissioner of police , the commissioner , chief of security , the ordinary commissioners and the constables ”.
Since June 1902 , with the appointment of Napoléon Delalonde as Director of Public Security 22 directors have so far succeeded

To run a modern state where the safety of its citizens are the top priority , it is to the Police we always look to feel free and be civil to one another , confident of peace . The Principality emerged as a modern state during the reign of Charles III starting 1856 and continuing with his successor Albert I in 1889 . Being the founder of the famous casino in Monte-Carlo , Prince Charles III would oversee an explosion of Royal visitors , European aristocrats and VIPs , laden with jewellery and valuables seeking amusement and leisure in the fine climate of the Principality . And they were reassured by the presence of the Principality ’ s police who had from 1858 begun to structure themselves , in a significant way . Appointed at their head was a police commissioner , Yves- Marie Lucas . And in 1877 , a Director of the police was appointed , Antoine Angeli .

All served then as now under their oath to the Sovereign :
“ I swear loyalty to the Prince and obedience to the laws of the Principality . I also swear to fulfill my functions well and loyally and to observe in everything the duties which they impose on me .”
Imagine being in the Principality , if there were no police in the February earthquake of 1887 when Hotel lobbies and corridors were eventually strewn with diamonds , sapphires
and emeralds as people ran into the streets packing into Casino Square .
With each decade came ever more need for security , ever more sophisticated criminals , and a glimpse of Monaco ’ s future reputation as the safest place on earth .
PRINCE ALBERT I ’ S HISTORIC ORDINANCE

Visionary as always Prince Albert I , on ascension to the throne in 1889 , saw the need to position the Police within a strengthened overall organisation responsible for Public Security . 100 years
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