Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza
The Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza ( NOCS ; German " Central Operational Security Unit " ) is a special unit of the Italian state police for the fight against terrorism and hostage rescue . The NOCS is based a few kilometers south of Rome , in Tor de 'Cenci (Spinaceto), not far from the Pratica di Mare military airfield .
assignment
In addition to its primary task of combating terrorism , the fight against organized crime is also a task of the Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza . Rescuing hostages and special personal protection operations are also part of the tasks of this unit. Since the NOCS has only a small strength of around 130 men compared to other units of this type, it is only used for very difficult operations.
organization
At the head of the NOCS is a senior police director ( primo dirigente / vice questore ). The unit is divided into an operational and a supporting part. The operational part is further divided into three groups, whose members specialize in special areas of responsibility ( snipers , explosives specialists , divers, parachutists, etc.), but must also have very good knowledge of all other areas. The training group is also located in the operational area.
education
After medical and psychological tests, a six-month basic training begins. As a rule, no more than ten percent of the applicants survive the tests and basic training. This is followed by a two-year probationary period during which full training also takes place. Those who survive this section will be taken on by an active team at the Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza . Parts of the training take place in Abbasanta in Sardinia .
history
The NOCS was set up in 1978, at the height of the terror of the Red Brigades and other armed groups, by a ministerial decree from then Minister of the Interior, Francesco Cossiga . The most famous operation to date took place in 1982 when terrorists kidnapped the American General James Lee Dozier from the NATO Landsouth command in Verona . Twelve NOCS officials liberated the general in an apartment in Padua and were awarded a high medal by the US government.
European cooperation
The NOCS cooperates within the framework of the ATLAS network with special police units from other European countries.
Similar units
The Carabinieri have a similar special task force, the Gruppo di Intervento Speciale (GIS). The Guardia di Finanza (Financial Guard) maintains smaller special units under the name Antiterrorismo Pronto Impiego (ATPI).
literature
- Frank B. Metzner, Joachim Friedrich: Special police forces in Europe . Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2002, ISBN 3-613-02249-4 , pp. 142/143.
Web links
- Official website of the NOCS (Italian)
- NOCS at specwarnet.net (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Giusy Federici: Sicut Nox Silentes, "Silenziosi come la notte": nella base del NOCS - Storia ed evoluzione. In: difesaonline.it. June 7, 2018, accessed June 9, 2018 (Italian).
Coordinates: 41 ° 46 ′ 48 ″ N , 12 ° 25 ′ 16.9 ″ E