View source for Counter-terrorism Rapid Response

{{Short description|Special unit of the Guardia di Finanza}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox law enforcement unit
| unit_name              = Counter-terrorism Rapid Response
| native_name            = {{native name|it|Antiterrorismo Pronto Impiego}} 
| native_namea           = <!-- Use {{native name|language code|name}} -->
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| image                  = File:AT.-P.I..jpg
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| dates                  = 1983 - present
| country                = [[Italy]]
| agency                 = [[Guardia di Finanza]]
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| motto                  = ''Nihil difficile volenti''
| motto_translated       = Nothing is difficult for the one who wants
| common_name            = ''Baschi verdi''
| abbreviation           = ATPI
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[[File:2june 2007 469.jpg|thumb|The ATPI in June 2007|alt=Uniformed agents marching in a parade]]
The '''Counter-terrorism Rapid Response''' (Italian: '''Antiterrorismo Pronto Impiego''', or '''ATPI'''), formed in 1983, is a [[Police tactical unit|special police unit]] of Italy's [[Guardia di Finanza]]. It is tasked with [[Counterterrorism|counter-terrorism]] operations and the protection of VIPs and places of interest in the country. The ATPI has also participated in operations in [[Albania]], [[Kosovo]], and [[Hungary]].

== History ==

The ATPI was founded in 1983 during Italy's [[Years of Lead (Italy)|Years of Lead]]. It is the special-operations component of the [[Guardia di Finanza]]. The force's predecessor was the SVATPI (Scorta Valori Antiterrorismo Pronto Impiego), formed in 1977 to combat robberies by the [[Red Brigades]] of the [[Bank of Italy]]'s [[Armored car (valuables)|armored cars]]. The SVATPI also escorted prominent individuals, including the Minister of Finance, to prevent kidnapping.

== {{anchor|Task}}Mission ==

The unit specializes in counter-terrorism activity, supervising airports, ports, and other sensitive targets. It also combats illicit trafficking, focusing on organized crime, drug and weapons smuggling, and illegal immigration.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gdf.gov.it/chi-siamo/organizzazione/specializzazioni/anti-terrorismo-pronto-impiego |title=Archived copy |access-date=5 January 2018 |archive-date=20 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820034056/http://www.gdf.gov.it/chi-siamo/organizzazione/specializzazioni/anti-terrorismo-pronto-impiego |url-status=dead }}</ref> The ATPI also supports the operations of local and regional governments, deploying teams of [[marksmen]] during drug-seizure operations or tactical units for high-risk tasks, and can act as riot units in a serious threat to the public order. The ATPI is the escort service for the [[Minister of Economy and Finance (Italy)|Minister of Economy and Finance]]. The unit is trained in the liberation of hostages, and has operated in missions abroad.

== Organization ==

The ATPI is divided into 10-person operating teams, headed by a [[Marshal (Italy)|marshal]].

== {{anchor|Recruitment}}Training ==
Guardia di Finanza soldiers qualify for the ATPI after passing a course. The 10-week training course, which is physically and psychologically demanding, is held at the Guardia di Finanza barracks in [[Orvieto]].<ref>[http://www.difesa.it/Approfondimenti/Festa-Repubblica/2giugno06/rivista-militare/sfilamento-reparti/Centro_addestramento_specializzazione_GdiF.htm Dal sito del Ministero della Difesa].</ref> The course includes training in police techniques necessary to combat [[public-order crime]], escorting, police administration, and marksmanship. Techniques taught are:
* Personal defense and martial arts
* Police and [[Practical shooting|dynamic shooting]]
* Burglary and hostage release
* [[Safety stock]] maintenance
* Fast and armored-car driving 
* Guerrilla and anti-guerrilla techniques
* Police techniques

== Weapons ==
{| class="wikitable" width="100%" border="0"
! width="25%" |Name
! width="25%" |Country of origin
! width="25%" |Type
|-
|[[Beretta 92#92FS|Beretta 92FS]]
| rowspan="2" |{{Flag|Italy}}
|[[Semi-automatic pistol]]
|-
|[[Beretta M12|Beretta PM12]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Submachine gun]]
|-
|[[Heckler & Koch MP5]]
|{{Flag|Germany}}
|-
|[[Beretta AR70/90]]
| rowspan="2" |{{Flag|Italy}}
|[[Assault rifle]]
|-
|[[Franchi SPAS-12]]
|[[Combat shotgun]]; can be armed with non-lethal ammunition ([[rubber bullet]]s)
|-
|[[Mauser]] SP86
| rowspan="2" |{{Flag|Germany}}
| rowspan="3" |[[Sniper rifle]]
|-
|[[Heckler & Koch PSG1|Heckler & Koch PSG-1]] 
|-
|[[Sako TRG]]
|{{Flag|Finland}}
|}

== Vehicles ==

Vehicles in ATPI service are identical to those of the [[Guardia di Finanza]]. They include the [[Alfa Romeo 156]], [[Alfa Romeo 159]], [[Fiat Punto]], [[Fiat Bravo]], [[Iveco Daily]], [[Mitsubishi Pajero]], and the [[Subaru Forester]] armored vehicle.

== {{anchor|Publicly known missions}}Known domestic missions ==

* June–October 1988, [[Reggio Calabria]], [[Operation Vespri Siciliani]]: ATPI officers from all departments in the area were activated as part of a broader strategy to consolidate state presence in [[Sicily]] in the aftermath of an attack which killed a judge and several others.
* 1992, [[Bari]]: 25 officers from the 3rd ATPI Napoli Company supported territorial departments in an anti-smuggling operation ordered by Finance Minister [[Rino Formica]].
* 1987–1994: four ATPI officers from the 3rd Napoli Company were used in Rome to protect the President of the Constitutional Court.
* February–June 1994, [[Villa Literno]], [[Caserta]]: 25 ATPI officers from the 3rd Como company, based in Lavena Ponte Tresa, and five from the 4th Rome Company participated in anti-smuggling activities and prevention of illegal immigration. They were subsequently deployed during the [[20th G7 summit]] in [[Naples]] as escorts for foreign delegations and for counter-terrorism activities.
* 1996–1999, [[Milan]], Operation Milano-Massima Sicurezza: anti-immigration and anti-smuggling activities
* 2000–2002, [[Apulia]], Operation Spring: anti-smuggling activities
* 20–22 July 2001, [[Genoa]]: security during the [[27th G8 summit]]
* 2003 [[Naples]]: law enforcement
* 8–10 July 2009, [[L'Aquila]]: security during the [[35th G8 summit]]; two ATPI officers<ref>Maresciallo Aiutante Pier Paolo Marino e Appuntato Andrea Esposito, appartenenti rispettivamente alle sezioni Pronto Impiego di Udine e Gorizia.</ref> were included in the escort of American president [[Barack Obama]].
* 26–27 May 2017, [[Taormina]]: security during the [[43rd G7 summit]]

== {{anchor|Foreign Operations}}Foreign operations ==

The ATPI has been used in [[Albania]] to protect members of the [[Guardia di Finanza]] who were deployed in the CAM-SEA mission. The unit was assigned to Prime Minister [[Giuliano Amato]], and to the Italian contingent in Kosovo.

==See also==
*[[Law enforcement in Italy]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{Law enforcement in Italy}}

[[Category:Military counterterrorist organizations]]
[[Category:Guardia di Finanza]]
[[Category:Police tactical units]]
[[Category:Gendarmerie units and formations]]