| Unit Name: | Counter-terrorism Rapid Response |
| Dates: | 1983 - present |
| Country: | Italy |
| Agency: | Guardia di Finanza |
| Motto: | Nihil difficile volenti |
| Motto Translated: | Nothing is difficult for the one who wants |
| Common Name: | Baschi verdi |
| Abbreviation: | ATPI |
| Programmes: | --> |
The Counter-terrorism Rapid Response (Italian: Antiterrorismo Pronto Impiego, or ATPI), formed in 1983, is a special police unit of Italy's Guardia di Finanza. It is tasked with 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.
The ATPI was founded in 1983 during Italy's 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 cars. The SVATPI also escorted prominent individuals, including the Minister of Finance, to prevent kidnapping.
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.[1] 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. The unit is trained in the liberation of hostages, and has operated in missions abroad.
The ATPI is divided into 10-person operating teams, headed by a marshal.
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.[2] The course includes training in police techniques necessary to combat public-order crime, escorting, police administration, and marksmanship with firearms such as Beretta 92 pistols, Beretta PM12 submachine guns, Franchi SPAS-12 shotguns, and Beretta AR70/90 assault rifles. Techniques taught are:
Each ATPI officer carries a Beretta 92FS pistol. Each team has:
Units also have several H & K MP5 machine guns. These can be loaded for narrow spaces (such as an aircraft), where hostages can be raised. The Mauser SP86 and Heckler & Koch PSG-1 are among sniper rifles used by the force.
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.
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.