The NOCS, or Central Security Operational Unit of the Italian State Police, is the elite unit for special assault operations, created to respond to extreme scenarios. Typical NOCS operational scenarios include counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, the capture of dangerous fugitives, support for complex investigations, protection of foreign dignitaries during state visits, as well as top-level Italian government and administrative officials, support to local police forces, and security during high-risk international events on national territory. Thanks to its top-level training, numerous successful missions, constant technical and professional updates, the NOCS has earned undeniable international recognition. Since 2001, the NOCS has been a member of the ATLAS Network, an international organization of 38 special intervention units aimed at cooperation and the exchange of counter-terrorism experiences through joint exercises involving all network members. Since 2015, the NOCS has also been responsible for the training of the UOPI (First Response Operational Units) of the State Police. The NOCS also conducts regular joint training with other international police special forces, including: the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team, Israel's Yamam, Germany’s GSG-9 and SEK, Spain’s GEO, France’s RAID, Japan’s SAT, and Switzerland’s DEE10.
The NOCS is a member of the ATLAS Network. In the photo: joint training in Italy simulating the hostage-taking of a high-speed train (November 22, 2024).
Key Points
• History and operations
• Organization
• Internal structure
• Recruitment
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HISTORY AND OPERATIONS
The NOCS was established as the State's response to the wave of international terrorism in the 1970s (such as the 1973 terrorist attack at Fiumicino Airport that left 32 dead), and to the emerging domestic terrorism and armed struggle. There was a growing need for highly trained special intervention units within the police force, capable of anti-terrorism and hostage rescue operations. The unit’s creation is closely tied to the directives of then-Interior Minister Francesco Cossiga, who, on October 24, 1977, issued a decree ordering the creation of the UN.I.S. (Special Intervention Unit), to equip the State with an adequate counter-terrorism response.
However, the official birth of the NOCS is October 10, 1978, the date when the unit became fully operational and was placed under the UCIGOS (Central Office for General Investigations and Special Operations), which coordinated investigations and special operations. Today, the NOCS is part of the Central Directorate for Prevention Police and is based in Tor de' Cenci, near Rome. The operation that undoubtedly gave NOCS global fame was the rescue of U.S. General James Lee Dozier, kidnapped by the Red Brigades in 1982. The mission ended without bloodshed and lasted less than 60 seconds—a textbook case of counter-terrorism success.
In later years, NOCS continued its high-risk interventions, including the rescues of Dante Belardinelli (1989) and Augusto De Megni (1991), and still carries out dangerous missions to rescue hostages and fight terrorism.
As of a recent operational report, the unit has arrested over 237 fugitives and rescued 325 hostages.
NOCS shoulder patch: the motto is Sicut Nox Silentes, "Silent as the night".
ORGANIZATION
The NOCS is structured as a multi-specialist assault unit.
Its operational profiles and capabilities include specialties such as:
• Hostage Rescue (HRT – Hostage Rescue Team): dynamic entry techniques, negotiation-assault management with priority given to preserving hostages' lives;
• High-risk arrest operations: apprehension of dangerous fugitives and raids on sensitive targets;
• Snipers: long-range precision shooting and support;
• Breaching specialists: use of explosives for controlled access during raids;
• K9 units;
• Divers: underwater intervention capabilities;
• Combat medics: tactical medicine, integrated with operational teams;
• EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal): bomb disposal experts;
• CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear): ability to operate in contaminated and complex environments;
• Mobility: use of specialized armored and undercover vehicles;
• Airborne-amphibious-parachute capability: training in HALO (High Altitude, Low Opening) parachute techniques;
• Intelligence: tech support for surveillance and reconnaissance.
INTERNAL STRUCTURE
• Security Secretariat: responsible for administrative aspects of the unit’s activities;
• Operational Support Section: provides field assistance to operators;
• Operational Section: consists of an unspecified number of Special Actions Operational Teams (SOAS). There is always one team on constant alert to respond to crises with rapid reaction times.
Also includes a protection team for VIP escort services, and a medical section tasked with providing advanced emergency medical support to both operators and high-risk individuals in operational scenarios.
• Study Unit: handles the selection process of aspiring operators, training and updating of current members, development of new intervention strategies, and testing of technical support equipment.
NOCS operators during a dynamic demonstration.
RECRUITMENT
The requirements to join the NOCS unit are as follows:
• Background: at least 2 years of service in the police forces;
• Age: under 31 years old;
• Physical and mental conditions: 20/20 vision and excellent psychophysical condition.
Once requirements are verified, candidates undergo physical tests. Those who pass are admitted to the NOCS operator course, which lasts six months.
The final phase of the basic course is training at the Abbasanta base in Sardinia, where recruits train in rural environments and are evaluated for balance and potential specialization.
After successfully completing this step, they proceed to specialization training.
NOCS operators of the State Police parade on June 2nd.